New Student Orientation

The Orientation Leaders have been preparing for your arrival for months, and they are excited to meet you. Your Orientation Leaders are members of various clubs, programming boards, honor/academic societies, Fraternities, Sororities, Student Government Inc., and many other student organizations

Grace Bagdon Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls OH Year: Sophomore Major: Global Develop & Sustainabilit College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Anika Bristol Hometown: New York NY Year: Sophomore Major: Business College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Nisha Busre Hometown: Lindenhurst NY Year: Senior Major: Communication Arts College: College of Professional Stud
Kaitlin Byrnes Hometown: East Rockaway NY Year: Sophomore Major: Homeland Security College: College of Professional Stud
Salvatore Chabla Hometown: Woodside NY Year: Sophomore Major: Sport Management College: College of Professional Stud
Shekaniah Charles Hometown: Hyde Park MA Year: Sophomore Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Lauren Crean Hometown: Ocean NJ Year: Sophomore Major: Environ Sustain & Decis Making College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Kiori Cruz Hometown: E Stroudsburg PA Year: Sophomore Major: Biomedical Sciences College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Hajarah Dar Hometown: Bethpage NY Year: Sophomore Major: Criminal Justice College: College of Professional Stud
Michael DeRisi Hometown: Hempstead NY Year: Sophomore Major: Adolescence Edu/Mathematics College: The School of Education
Sydney DiStefano Hometown: Coventry RI Year: Sophomore Major: Criminal Justice College: College of Professional Stud
Lauren Dooley Hometown: Huntington NY Year: Sophomore Major: Adolescence Edu/English College: The School of Education
Jelani Estrada Hometown: Brooklyn NY Year: Sophomore Major: Biomedical Sciences College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Elise Faulk Hometown: Laurel, MD Year: Junior Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Patricia Fawcett Hometown: Glendale NY Year: Sophomore Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Lianna Fernandez Hometown: Bellerose NY Year: Sophomore Major: Criminal Justice College: College of Professional Stud
Amanda Galvez Hometown: Mineola NY Year: Sophomore Major: Computer Science College: College of Professional Stud
Wenxue Gao Hometown: Mineola NY Year: Sophomore Major: Management College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Alexandra Garcia Hometown: Huntington NY Year: Senior Major: Psychology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Stephanie Gonzalez Hometown: Rego Park NY Year: Sophomore Major: Childhood Education 1-6 College: The School of Education
Dallas Hill Hometown: Smyrna DE Year: Sophomore Major: Government & Politics College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Brandon Hinds Hometown: Brooklyn NY Year: Freshman Major: Environmental Science College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Alex Hootsell Hometown: Stone Mountain GA Year: Sophomore Major: Computer Science College: College of Professional Stud
Abonee Hossain Hometown: Bellerose NY Year: Sophomore Major: Pharmacy - 6 Yr PharmD College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Aynul Hossain Hometown: Ozone Park NY Year: Senior Major: Computer Science/ Business Adm College: College of Professional Stud
Marisa Inglese Hometown: Middle Vlg NY Year: Sophomore Major: Pharmacy - 6 Yr PharmD College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Amaya Iverson Hometown: Yonkers NY Year: Sophomore Major: Psychology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Jahlani Jackson Hometown: Clinton MD Year: Sophomore Major: Sociology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Rilei Johnson Hometown: Washington DC Year: Sophomore Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Atabongnkeng Khumbah Hometown: Columbia, MD Year: Sophomore Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Justin Laucella Hometown: Deer Park NY Year: Sophomore Major: Homeland Security College: College of Professional Stud
Jessica Leathers Hometown: Brooklyn NY Year: Sophomore Major: Sport Management College: College of Professional Stud
Dana Livingston Hometown: Freeport NY Year: Sophomore Major: English College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Ashley Mangra Hometown: Richmond Hill NY Year: Sophomore Major: Government & Politics College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Leslie Martinez Hometown: Bronx NY Year: Senior Major: Legal Studies College: College of Professional Stud
Skylah McBean-Adams Hometown: Copiague NY Year: Senior Major: Risk Management and Insurance College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
CaSandra McCray Hometown: Brooklyn NY Year: Senior Major: Communication Arts College: College of Professional Stud
Wendy Mendez Hometown: Elmhurst NY Year: Sophomore Major: Criminal Justice College: College of Professional Stud
Carmella Mae Mendoza Hometown: Middle Vlg NY Year: Sophomore Major: Accounting College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
John Mezquita Hometown: North Bergen NJ Year: Sophomore Major: Accounting College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Thomas Moore Hometown: Middle Village NY Year: Senior Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Wasim Mustafa Hometown: Queens Village NY Year: Sophomore Major: Cyber Security Systems College: College of Professional Stud
Blanche Palasi Hometown: Ozone Park NY Year: Sophomore Major: Pharmacy - 6 Yr PharmD College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Kendall Pierre Hometown: Lafayette LA Year: Sophomore Major: Finance College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Ryan Pugh Hometown: Massapequa Pk NY Year: Sophomore Major: History College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Marsean Rice Hometown: Catonsville MD Year: Sophomore Major: Public Relations College: College of Professional Stud
Shamar Roberts Hometown: Bergenfield NJ Year: Sophomore Major: Information Technology College: College of Professional Stud
Thomas Scarabino Hometown: Middle Village NY Year: Sophomore Major: Public Relations College: College of Professional Stud
Yaminah Smith Hometown: Bloomfield NJ Year: Sophomore Major: Journalism College: College of Professional Stud
Ainsley Sonnier Hometown: Nashville TN Year: Sophomore Major: Risk Management and Insurance College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Ashleigh Stampp Hometown: Queens NY Year: Sophomore Major: Economics College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Jaylene Styron Hometown: Jamaica NY Year: Sophomore Major: Undecided College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Taizia Sullivan Hometown: Bronx NY Year: Sophomore Major: Psychology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Garry Tellus Hometown: Elmont NY Year: Sophomore Major: Biology College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Santom Thomas Hometown: New Hyde Park NY Year: Sophomore Major: Accounting College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Sarahlee Tucker Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica Year: Sophomore Major: Legal Studies College: College of Professional Studies
Sofia Valencia Hometown: E Northport NY Year: Sophomore Major: Adolescence Edu/English College: The School of Education
Ciara Warner Hometown: Hempstead NY Year: Senior Major: Public Relations College: College of Professional Stud
Njemile Wickham Hometown: Brooklyn NY Year: Sophomore Major: Biomedical Sciences College: Coll of Pharm & Health Science
Alexa Williams Hometown: Bushkill PA Year: Sophomore Major: Risk Management and Insurance College: The Peter J. Tobin Coll of Bus
Ryan Fredericks Hometown: Flushing NY Year: Senior Major: Computer Science College: College of Professional Stud
Ashton Maxey Hometown: Miramar FL Year: Senior Major: Communication Arts College: College of Professional Stud
Christina Petkanas Hometown: Westbury NY Year: Senior Major: Spanish College: St. John's College of Lib Arts
Sean Scarabino Hometown: Queens NY Year: Sophomore Major: Sport Management College: College of Professional Stud

What happens at orientation?
During Orientation students have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the academic environment, the support services and important locations on campus. You will also be able to learn about the St. John's experience from Orientation Leaders.

Where can I find a schedule of orientation?
A schedule can be found at stjohns.edu/orientation. Also a full schedule of events will be given to students at the start of the program. 

Is Student Orientation mandatory? 
Yes. New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new incoming students. If there are unavoidable circumstances please contact the orientation office at [email protected] or 718-990-5353.

Do I have to pay a fee for orientation?
No, orientation is free for students and parents to attend.

How do I register for orientation?
Everyone will receive an email with instructions on how to register online for orientation. You can also click on the ‘Register for Orientation’ link on stjohns.edu/orientation. If you are having difficulty registering please contact our office at [email protected] or 718-990-5353.

What are the dates for orientation?

• Freshman Orientation (Queens)
  • Session 1: June 19–20
  • Session 2: June 26–27
  • Session 3: July 10–11
  • Session 4: July 17–18
  • Session 5: July 24–25
  • Session 6: July 31–August 1
  • Session 7: August 7–8
• Transfer Orientation
  • July 16
  • August 29
• International Orientation
  • August 30–31
• Veteran Orientation
  • August 27
• Graduate Student Orientation
  • September 3
• Staten Island New Student Orientation
  • August 29–30

Can I sign up for any orientation date?
There is one session where students of the College of Pharmacy and Health Services cannot attend (Session 4, July 17-18), but every other session is open to all students. 

Can I change my orientation date? 
Yes, contact our office at [email protected] or 718-990-5353.

What time does orientation start/end?
Check-in for orientation on Day One begins at 9 a.m. and on Day Two ends around 4:30 p.m.

Can I request to room with someone? 
No, room assignments are random.

What is an Orientation Leader (OL)?
An Orientation Leader is a St. John's student who embodies the values of St. John's University and is chosen to assist incoming students with their transition to college, Orientation Leaders are involved in a variety of activities at St. John's and are here to answer your questions from the student perspective.

When do I get my class schedule?
The University Freshman Center creates all schedules for first-semester freshmen, which once complete can be viewed in MySJU. International and transfer students register through advisors in their school/college.

Where can I park? Is parking free? 
You can park in any general spot on campus for the duration of the orientation program for free. You can enter campus at gate 6, 4 or 1 for general parking. 

Will I be able to tour the residence hall I will be living in during the school year?
Unfortunately the other residence halls will not be available for viewing during orientation.

How do I see what the residence halls look like?
To learn more about residence life at St. John’s, including the layouts of the types of rooms available, please see the Residence Life Handbook. Also, look at our 360-Degree Residence Hall Tours for a preview of every room available on campus.

Is the room I stay in for orientation the same as the room I will be living in during the semester?
No. For the duration of the orientation program all students stay in Donovan Hall. This housing is only temporary for orientation.

Is it mandatory to stay overnight? What if I can't stay overnight for religious reasons?
Yes, it is mandatory to stay overnight for safety reasons. However if there are religious reasons that prohibit you from staying overnight, please contact us at [email protected] or 718-990-5353. 

Do I have to stay the whole day of orientation? Can I leave early? 
Yes, students must stay for the entirety of the program. If there are unavoidable circumstances please contact the orientation office at [email protected] or 718-990-5353.

Can I leave campus during orientation?
No, for security reasons students are not allowed to leave campus for the duration of the program.

What do I need to do before orientation?
Review the new student check-list so you are fully prepared before you arrive on campus. This check-list is full of things you need to consider or complete before attending Orientation.

What should I wear to orientation?
During Orientation students spend time walking around campus. Therefore, students should wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. As most facilities are air conditioned, you may want to bring a sweater.

Do I need to bring my own sheets/linens? 
Yes you do, sheets and linens are not provided but a pillow is provided. Please remember you will only be staying for one night and should be able to carry all possessions. 

What do I need to bring to orientation?
All you need to bring is toiletries, a change of clothes and linens. Student may bring money to purchase souvenirs.

Are kosher meals available? 
Yes, Kosher meals are available at request. Please contact the orientation office at [email protected] or 718-990-5353 to request a Kosher meal.

I am fasting during orientation, will I be able to put a meal aside?
Yes, just let your orientation leaders know at the start of the day and arrangements will be made. 

Are my parents required to go to orientation?
No, parents are not required but encouraged to attend Family Orientation.

Can I bring a guest to orientation?
No, we cannot accommodate guests. Orientation is a chance for students to become familiar with their new school environment and interact with other incoming students so guests are not allowed. 

Do my parents/guardians participate in the same program?
The Family Orientation program runs concurrently with the first day of the student program. However, it is a completely different program that is dedicated to families, so you will not be with your parent during this time. 

How long is the family program?
The parent program ends at 3 p.m. for parents of commuter students and 3:45 p.m. for parents of resident students.

Can my parents stay on campus?
No, the parent program is only one day and as such parents need to arrange their own accommodations. 

Are there any hotels in the area or that offer a discounted rate? 
Yes, these hotels have special rates for St. John’s University affiliates.

Can I bring my health forms to orientation?
Yes, you may bring your health forms to orientation as long as they are completed in their entirety and your X-number is written on each page.

We recommend that you submit your forms via the Online Patient Portalbefore your Orientation. For more information, please contact Student Health Services. 

Do graduate students attend orientation?
Yes, there is a Orientation program for our incoming graduate students. However, all graduate students should speak with their academic college/school to confirm any separate sessions their department or program may require.

Do I get a laptop as a new St. John's student?
Yes, you may choose to participate in the St. John's Laptop Program. Laptops will be distributed at the end of August. You are also welcome to bring your own laptop.

For more information, please see the Laptop Program FAQ. If you have questions about this program, please contact Information Technology Service Desk at 718-990-5000.