Royals Of Color Kickoff Program Scheduled for Aug. 24

Registration is ongoing for The University of Scranton Royals of Color Kickoff (ROCK). ROCK, an early arrival program, invites new students of color to campus the Thursday prior to first-year Move-in to connect with peers, upper-division mentors and campus and local resources. The program aims to support social network development, community-building and campus and local area connection.

The day-and-a-half long program will feature a networking dinner with families and University staff and administrators, social activities, a campus resource tour, a downtown lunch and business tour and candid conversations with returning students of color. The ROCK goal is to help students feel at home on campus and in Scranton.

When is it held?

New students will arrive on campus on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 24. Residential students will move into their fall housing assignment. Families will be invited to participate in a University welcome and dinner. Events and sessions for students will take place from 7 p.m. on Aug. 24 through the morning of Aug. 26.

Who can participate and what is the cost?

There is no cost, though registration is requested.

ROCK Committee invites any first-year student who identify as students of color, to register and begin meeting and making social and community connections with peers from the Class of 2027.

Students will also be able to engage with upper-division students and previous ROCK program participants from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as faculty, staff and administrators around campus.

What have prior participants said about the program?

Last year’s participants noted that the ROCK helped them connect to other new and returning students of color, gain a stronger sense of community on campus and feel more prepared academically and socially.

Students shared their insights:

“ROCK was the perfect gateway to all the amazing programs Scranton offers. I came out of ROCK feeling prepared and supported by all the mentors, staff, and peers that I met through the program.”
- Baby Cornish, Class of 2026.

“ROCK made me feel welcome at the school and helped me get ready and used to campus."
-Selina Hemingway, Class of 2026.

“The ROCK program made me feel so much more comfortable and confident about starting my first year here.”

- Kayla Sajous, Class of 2026.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Complete the form at https://tinyurl.com/2023UofSROCKProgram

Registration will close on Aug. 15.

With questions, contact The ROCK planning committee at any time via email at multicultural@scranton.edu or by phone at 570.941.5904.