Welcome to the First-Year Experience (FYE) at Kalamazoo College
The transition to college is full of excitement and challenges, and our goal is to help all incoming students successfully navigate their first year. Staff, professors, and peers associated with the First Year programs and spaces all across campus are invested in supporting you academically and personally during your transition. We hope that you take advantage of the resources available to you to have a great first year (and four years) at Kalamazoo College!
Please see the helpful resources on this website for more information, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Taking initiative to ask questions and get help are the very best ways to be successful.
One resource available to you is me, Dana, your First-Year Class Dean. I’m your “go to” person for first-year students. If you have a question and you are not sure who to ask, have a concern and need someone to talk to, or are struggling and need someone in your corner, please contact me. I am here to listen, help problem-solve, and direct you to helpful resources across campus.
Dana Jansma, Senior Associate Dean of Students and Dean of the First-Year, dana.jansma@kzoo.edu
Important Dates
First Year Programming
Campus Resources
Class of 2027 Orientation
Orientation is the time for all new students to move in, and get acquainted with campus and each other prior to classes starting. The days are busy with a lot of important learning and a lot of fun!
The 2023 Orientation for incoming first-year students will begin with check-in to the residence halls on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. The full Orientation schedule will be mailed to students in June as part of a larger mailing and will be posted on this web page. Check out the 2022 Orientation Schedule to get a sense of what to expect. For questions related to the Fall 2023 Orientation please email orientation@kzoo.edu.
We will also have Orientation activities for families on September 6 and 7, 2023. A mailing will be sent to parents/guardians in June and the schedule will also be posted on this site.
Parents and Families, check back on September 7th, 2023 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time to watch the Convocation Livestream if you are unable to join us in person!