Orientation, Leadership & Transition
The Office of Orientation, Leadership & Transition is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive and empowering environment for students. Through first-year, transfer and sophomore experience programs, our team facilitates a smooth transition to campus life, promotes personal and academic growth and supports students in cultivating a sense of belonging at Bucknell.
By offering dynamic Weeks of Welcome events, leadership development opportunities and ongoing programs and resources for first-year and sophomore students as well transfer students, we strive to inspire students to engage deeply with the Bucknell and surrounding communities, embrace their leadership potential and thrive academically and personally throughout their college journey. Our commitment is to support each student's transition, empower them to explore their passions and ensure each student is confident in the pathways they can pursue while at Bucknell.
First-Year Experience
The First-year Experience (FYE) area provides a framework by which Bucknell can provide a seamless, integrated and comprehensive experience for all first-year students, supporting personal and academic growth. The FYE program provides leadership and support for best practices within the First-year Experience field for the holistic and successful transition of students into and through their first year at Bucknell. FYE efforts encompass student onboarding, Pre-Orientation, New Student Orientation, the Common Experience Program, Weeks of Welcome, FY experiences, seminars and workshops beyond orientation, along with family education and support.
Transfer Experience
Bucknell's Transfer Experience provides a framework by which Bucknell can provide a seamless, integrated and comprehensive experience for all new transfer students, supporting personal and academic growth. Our team provides programming and resources for students to smoothly transition into Bucknell and maximize their time on campus, whether it is two, three or four years. Transfer Students participate in a robust New Student Orientation program and are invited to participate in ongoing programs throughout their first year on campus.
Leadership Programs
Orientation, Leadership and Transition supports student leadership in myriad ways, from providing student leadership opportunities to offering leadership development programs and workshops to all Bucknell students. The pillar advises Bucknell's chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success (the NSLS). Leadership programming is scaffolded to provide growth and development for emerging leaders, more experienced leaders and students serving in leadership roles on campus and in the community. The pillar offers hands-on, experiential leadership development to students who serve as Orientation Assistants, Orientation Leaders, Orientation Coordinators, RADical Health Guides and NSLS executive officers.
RADical Health
RADical Health is a four-week peer-to-peer experience that empowers students with tools and resources to strengthen connections and build resilience.
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Bucknell
The NSLS is a national organization with more than 800 chapters and 2 million members. Bucknell established a local chapter in Spring 2025. Bucknellians in the first-year and sophomore classes are invited to join the organization to develop and build their leadership knowledge and capacity. Joining NSLS will offer opportunities to develop your interpersonal skills, learn from top global leaders, meet new friends, set goals and work toward them with the support of a peer accountability group.
Chapter members will have access to national organization benefits, including:
• Annual scholarship opportunities (visit nsls.org/scholarships-and-awards to learn more)
• An exclusive NSLS job bank
• A personalized letter of recommendation
Contact Details
Office of Orientation, Leadership & Transition
Location
Elaine Langone Center, Office 306