Welcome to HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College! YOUR New Student Orientation Department is here to help you start or continue your educational journey.
New Student Orientation programs are specifically designed and implemented in order to prepare students to transition into and through college, acquiring skills and knowledge requisite for success and completion.
New Student Orientation is a mandatory part of your enrollment process. Not attending an orientation could impact or delay your enrollment process. Soon after completing your admissions process, you will be sent an email with instructions on how to register for YOUR New Student Orientation which will be held remotely via Zoom.
What is New Student Orientation?
Your New Student Orientation (NSO) is a 1.5 – 2 hour Zoom session designed to help you make a successful transition to college. This session will include:
- Important resources and tips to navigate HACC technologies (pdf)
- Information on HACC Policies and YOUR Student Rights
- HACC Student Resources and Services
- Directions to help you select and register for your first-semester classes
You will receive an email invitation to schedule your New Student Orientation in your HAWKMail inbox. If you have questions or need assistance scheduling your orientation, please contact orientation@hacc.edu.
If you need disability-related accommodations for your orientation, please contact orientation@hacc.edu five days before your scheduled orientation date.
Finally, as a HACC student, you have access to the Orientation Homebase, which is a one-stop location to access need-to-know information about being a student at HACC, links to essential services and resources, and contact information for HACC offices.
*NSO will not be hosting orientation sessions on Fridays in June and July.
Students who need to complete placement testing:
- Mondays: 9 - 10:30 a.m. and 5-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesdays: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: 10 - 11:30 a.m. (April 24-May 15; Aug. 7-28)
Fast Track OARS (Orientation, Advising and Registration Session) for College-Ready students:
Health Sciences
- Tuesdays & Fridays* (only in May and August): 1 - 3 p.m.
- Thursdays: 9 - 11 a.m.
Liberal Arts
- Tuesdays & Fridays* (only in May and August): 9 - 11a.m.
- Thursdays: 1 - 3 p.m.
Business, Technology, & Industry
- Tuesdays & Fridays* (only in May and August): 9 - 11a.m.
- Thursdays: 5 - 7 p.m.
In order to gain the most out of your New Student Orientation, it is important that you complete these important steps first:
- Check your HAWKMail account daily for important updates from HACC
- Complete your FAFSA to learn about help to pay for school
- Complete your Placement Testing Requirements
- Log into Navigate to review your new student checklist
- Get familiar with Zoom features using our Tips and Tricks, or watch Zoom video tutorials
After attending or completing your online New Student Orientation, you will be ready to:
- Learn more about your program and career options through Career Coach
- Attend a Drop-In Advising Session to register for classes
- Purchase textbooks and required course material at the HACC Bookstore
- Confirm your Financial Aid through your myHACC student portal
- What if I cannot attend a live-Zoom orientation?
- We understand you have a busy life. All HACC students have access to the One-College New Student Orientation Course through Brightspace/D2L. You can complete this course at your own pace, and 100% online, to meet your mandatory orientation requirements. To access your myHACC portal, please first accept your offer of admission from HACC. You can then navigate to the online course by going to your myHACC portal → Brightspace/D2L (highlighted in orange on the homepage). Click "View All Courses", then select "One College New Student Orientation Course."
- I am a high school Dual Enrollment student. Do I need to attend New Student Orientation?
- YES! All HACC students should attend an NSO. Dual Enrollment students will receive an email invite to attend a unique orientation that covers helpful information on balancing high school and college life.
- My child is attending HACC. Can I attend New Student Orientation with them?
- Yes! All of HACC’s New Student Orientations are open to friends and family of our HACC students. Please contact us at orientation@hacc.edu to register for your session.
Meet YOUR New Student Orientation Team
Nakia L. Eckert, M.Ed. (she, her, hers)
Director, New Student Orientation
My WHY: I believe that education has the power to change your life. I get out of bed every morning to show my two little boys that with perseverance and a sense of humor, anything is possible.
Maria Salinas, M.A. (she, her, hers)
Assistant Director, New Student Orientation
My WHY: As a first-generation American, and the first in my family to go to college, I know the impact education has not just on the individual, but on my community. Going to college was part of my family’s American Dream. Being a lifelong learner gives me pride, purpose, and lets me set an example for others in my family. Don’t be afraid to dream big, plan, and work hard!
Destiny Arturet, M.A. (she, her, hers)
Specialist, New Student Orientation
My WHY: Community has been both a recurring theme in both my personal and professional life. I am looking forward to meeting students, helping them find their place in their own communities, and assisting them in making an enriching transition to college.