June 9, 2022
Incoming St. John’s University students eager to learn more about their soon-to-be home are welcome to explore the offerings being provided by the University in its new Summer at St. John’s: Explore and More series. Designed to help ease the social and academic transition to college life, more than 60 on- and off-campus activities are scheduled from June 15 through late August.
Off-site social activities include St. John’s Night at the Ballpark at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, on June 15; a pair of Broadway outings, to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on June 28 and Come From Away on August 9; food tours of nearby New York City neighborhoods; and a lunch cruise around Manhattan on August 12.
On-campus social activities include a residence hall movie night, virtual reality experiences, paint and sip (lemonade) nights, and more.
“We want students to immediately feel that they are connected to St. John’s—that when they come here, they are part of the St. John’s family,” said Nancy S. Kaplan, Ed.D., Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Partnerships. “We want to demonstrate that St. John’s is the right choice for them.”
Social outings are open to all incoming students, regardless of campus. Other New York City events planned include a walking tour of Manhattan’s Hamilton Heights neighborhood; a visit to the Museum of Modern Art; and a behind-the-scenes tour of the home of the Staten Island FerryHawks baseball team, which will be followed by dinner and a ballgame.
Of course, it’s not all fun and games. Explore and More includes a host of events designed to preview to incoming students what they can expect from a college curriculum.
Academic events include Overnight and Single-Day Orientation sessions at the Queens, NY, campus on select days in June, July, and August. There are also seminars on effective data use, research, and even pathways to law school for undergraduates.
Also, Inside Tobin Day on June 23 gives students an opportunity to meet faculty from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, while A Day in the Life of a Teacher-in-Training on the Staten Island, NY, campus on June 29 introduces potential education students to staff and faculty there.
Incoming students who attend a live social or academic event at the Queens campus are invited to an on-site barbecue. Food trucks from neighborhood restaurants will be available for incoming students who attend a Staten Island event.
“These are all opportunities for students and parents to engage with faculty members and to demystify the process of transitioning to college,” Dr. Kaplan said.
Summer at St. John’s: Explore and More is one of two St. John’s welcome initiatives debuting in 2022. The other, called Parent and Family University, enables parents and family members to virtually interact with faculty and administration on matters ranging from academic success, career success, extracurricular activities, faith on campus, and more.
Parent and Family University begins June 14 with a virtual meeting with Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, and Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Distinguished Professor, and Provost Endowed Chair. “They get to experience the President and the Provost as people, as who they are,” Dr. Kaplan explained. “It’s all about making people feel connected.”