Among them is a new orientation experience for Flex Pathway students transitioning to the Newark campus along with the return of Transfer Orientation. The Finding Your Flock program has been revamped to focus more intentionally on helping students build connections before classes begin. Each session will also include a new Student Success component which offers guidance on strategies and resources to help students adjust to college life. 

“We have a lot of new and exciting changes,” Gulledge said. “These additions are all about making sure every student feels prepared.”

But NSO isn’t only designed for incoming students. Gulledge emphasized the importance of inviting family members, who attend their own sessions while students break into groups.

“We know that families are often students' biggest supporters and we want to work with them in tandem,” he said. “This is why we share just as much information with them as we do their students.”

For Orientation Leaders (OLs), helping students feel comfortable is at the center of the experience. 

“I remember how overwhelming starting college can feel,” said OL and junior computer and information science major Mohammed Rakin Chowdhury. “I want to help ease that transition and make students feel like they belong from day one. Seeing nervous students gradually open up, make friends and start smiling more — it shows how much a welcoming environment can matter.”

Senior psychology major Dakota Galangue said the connections made during orientation — both between his fellow OLs and with the groups of incoming students — often last well beyond the summer. 

“The friends and connections I made as an OL were my biggest takeaways from the experience,” Galangue said. “I still connect with those people from my team regularly. And being recognized around campus from only spending a day during the summer with me? I find that pretty memorable.”

NSO continues to evolve each year with updates shaped by feedback from students, families and campus partners. Families remain a key part of the experience with dedicated programming during orientation and ongoing opportunities to stay involved through the Blue Hen Family Hub, including webinars with campus offices. 

What to expect at NSO

The NSO 2026 experience runs from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17. The in-person orientation program generally runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the virtual NSO is a three-hour program and is only available to students who reside more than 45 miles from the Newark campus. New first-year and transfer students can expect:

• The Live Orientation Program (offered on campus and virtually), which features opportunities to learn more about academic life, campus involvement, wellbeing and family engagement.

• Virtual Academic Advising Appointments where students will meet with an advisor and discuss course registration for the upcoming semester. 

• Virtual Meet Your College Sessions where incoming students will learn about their college, degree requirements, how advising works and what to expect from advising appointments.

At the end of the day, OLs say the goal is simple: help students feel ready for what comes next.

“It is a new chapter of your life and one that you should be looking forward to,” Galangue said. “NSO provides you with many resources and opportunities to connect with others. Be a sponge and try to absorb all that you are able to, and carry that excitement and joy you experienced during your NSO day to the start of the school year.”

“I hope every student leaves NSO feeling confident, connected and excited about their journey ahead,” Chowdhury added. “Most importantly, I want them to know they are supported and already part of a community here.”

How to register

New families and students should log in to My Blue Hen Home today to select your live NSO program at apply.udel.edu/portal/nso. For additional information about NSO, please visit udel.edu/nso.