First Year Scholar

Preparing for your arrival on-campus

MLK First Year Scholar Orientation

First Year MLK Scholars are required to participate in MLK Orientation prior to the start of the semester. MLK First Year Orientation will be on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Scholars will be expected to move in by 4pm on Monday, August 18, 2025 for Jumpstart.

More information on Ithaca College orientation can be found here.

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, August 15: MLK Scholar Move-In Day & MLK Scholar Orientation Day 1

Monday, August 16: MLK Scholar Orientation Day 2

Tuesday, August 17: Jumpstart Community Plunge

Wednesday, August 18: Convocation and MLK Scholar Orientation Day 3

Thursday, August 19 - Saturday, August 21: IC Orientation

Sunday, August 22: MLK Scholar Orientation Day 4

Monday, August 23: First Day of Classes

Jumpstart Program

MLK Scholars participating in Jumpstart Community Plunge

MLK First-Year Orientation includes participating in the Jumpstart Program, a collaboration between several departments on campus that offers new students a chance to explore the local community, learn about resources on campus, and meet new friends. You will be participating in Community Plunge, which allows students to volunteer and connect with the Ithaca community. 

Civic engagement and social justice service are a focal point of being an MLK Scholar and Community Plunge will give you the opportunity to learn more about the Ithaca community and community organizations. 

More information on the Jumpstart Program and the application can be found here. 

First Year Housing | Shared Journey

First Year MLK Scholars are required to live in Shared Journeys- The BIPOC Experience Residential Learning Community in East Tower during their first year.

Open to all students with a purpose to live with like-minded individuals and/or those who are wanting to learn more about the BIPOC student experience, history of BIPOC movements, and how one can continue the legacy at Ithaca College. The focus of this RLC is to discuss history, civil rights, impact of systemic racism, and social justice movements.

Purpose:

Provide housing open to all students with a purpose to live with like-minded individuals and/or those who are wanting to learn more about the BIPOC student experience, history of BIPOC movements, and how one can continue the legacy at IC. Open to all students, the focus of Shared Journeys is to discuss history, civil rights, the impact of systemic racism, and social justice movements.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Learn about the history, advocacy movements, and impact of movements such as POC at IC and the ALS March of 1970 that had great impact on the Ithaca College BIPOC student experience.
  • Gain the ability to discuss history, civil rights, impact of systemic racism, and social justice movements of BIPOC communities.
  • Gain awareness of resources at Ithaca College that support BIPOC Achievement, success, and retention of students.
  • Learning to facilitate conversations related to lived experiences of students of color on campus as well as BIPOC communities, domestically and internationally.