Are You Ready? New Scholar Experience

Your orientation to Penn State and Schreyer Honors College begins now!

While Penn State is a large, multi-faceted institution, as a new Schreyer Scholar, you will quickly learn how easy it is to find community and belonging in Schreyer. Whether you are entering the College as a first-, second-, or third-year student at University Park or one of our campuses, we have designed a welcoming orientation program with you in mind.

SHO TIME students posing at the Nittany Lion Shrine

Select Your New Scholar Experience

First-Year University Park Scholars

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Your orientation to Penn State begins during New Student Orientation (NSO). You will receive details about NSO directly from the Student Orientation and Transition Programs office.

Move In Information

As a Scholar, you will move onto campus early, August 21, which allows you to beat the crowds and attend our two-day orientation activities. For move in and arrival information, visit Penn State's Arrival website.

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME)

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME), is your required two-day introduction to the College. SHO TIME is where Scholars make connections and find their communities. You'll meet other first-year Scholars as well as more than 50 Peer Educators who were where you are today not long ago.

SHO TIME prepares you for success on your Schreyer journey and jumpstarts your semester. Peer Educators introduce the College's mission and values, community, student life, resources, and more through two days of entertaining and interactive experiences.

New first-year Schreyer Scholars participating in The Brain Show during SHO TIME
Schedule (August 21-22, 2025)

Schedule coming soon. All new Scholars are expected to attend SHO TIME. If you are unable to attend any or all of SHO TIME, email scholars@psu.edu to discuss your options.

Foundations of Scholar Success (LA 197)

Foundations of Scholar Success is the continuation of your orientation journey. This semester-long one-credit course helps you build key skills needed for success while fostering connections with peers and Scholar mentors. First-year Scholars are highly recommended to register for this course during their first fall semester in Schreyer Honors College.

Foundations of Scholar Success is different from a first-year seminar course offered through your academic college. This experience is about finding and strengthening your community and support systems within Schreyer. It will also help you understand how to bring and apply the Schreyer mission and values to your honors college journey.

Areas of focus include:

  • Aligning your personal goals with external pressures and expectations
  • Time management tools and techniques to manage your involvement
  • Study tools and academic success strategies, including using AI
  • Schreyer and Penn State resources for health and wellness, career explorationg, service opportunties and more
  • Tackling tough topics and conflict resolution
  • Connecting with professors
  • Navigating funding, grants, and personal budgeting
  • Insider tips to navigate Schreyer and Penn State
A Schreyer Peer Educator interacting with new Scholars in LA 197: Foundations of Scholar Success

In this course, taught by credentialed Peer Educators, Scholars can expect a variety of activities, including engaging discussions, reflections, and group outings. The class meets weekly for one hour throughout the fall. It is focused on discussion during class, rather than homework, and is graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

How to Schedule

Log into LionPath to add an available section of LA 197 to your schedule during New Student Orientation (NSO) or after.

Scholar Involvement Fair & Early Fall Activities

Schreyer Scholars enjoying our Neighborhood Bash event in the fall

Welcome Week is a time for exploring Penn State, learning about involvement opportunities, and enjoying exciting campus events.

During this week, we invite you to check out the All-Scholar Involvement Fair to learn about student organizations in Schreyer. You are also encouraged to attend our Neighborhood Bash in the early fall. Get to know your fellow Scholars while enjoying live music, food, and games. Watch for details on the time and location for both events on our event calendar.

Peer Educators

Peer Educators serve as trusted friends, mentors, and advocates for all new Scholars, and they are eager to engage with and support you throughout your orientation experience. If you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to them at the email address listed.

Director
Lia Gerboc headshot
Lia Gerboc Biology (BS) she/her/hers Lake Mary, FL lng5172@psu.edu
Emma Khoury headshot
Emma Khoury Biology (BS) she/her/hers Shrewsbury, PA emk5948@psu.edu
Peer Leader
Katie Estes headshot
Katie Estes Integrative Science (BS) Spanish (BA) she/her Hummelstown, PA kme5596@psu.edu
Shreya Gorawala headshot
Shreya Gorawala Integrative Science (BS) she/her Ambler, PA sjg6326@psu.edu
Emilie Horton headshot
Emilie Horton Accounting (MACC) Accounting (BS) she/her/hers Irwin, PA egh5219@psu.edu
Jackie Kiszka headshot
Jackie Kiszka Meteo & Atmosph Scnce (BS) she/her York, PA jmk7074@psu.edu
Cameron Koch headshot
Cameron Koch Biology (BS) he/him Coopersburg, PA cgk5194@psu.edu
Joe Mast headshot
Joe Mast Industrial Engr (BS) he/him Carlisle, PA jlm7935@psu.edu
Owen Nasal headshot
Owen Nasal Mathematics (BS) he/him State College, PA omn5039@psu.edu
Ava Nociforo headshot
Ava Nociforo Comm Arts & Sciences (BA) Advt/Publ Relations (BA) she/her Horsham, PA agn5131@psu.edu
Katie Seidel headshot
Katie Seidel Environmntl Sys Engr (BS) she/her Mount Airy, MD kjs6865@psu.edu
Aneesh Singh headshot
Aneesh Singh Data Sciences (BS) he/him Metuchen, NJ azs7281@psu.edu
Mabel Tong headshot
Mabel Tong Biology (BS) she/her State College, PA mst5405@psu.edu
Matt Visomirski headshot
Matt Visomirski Physics (BS) Mathematics (BS) he/him/his Jenkintown, PA mav5583@psu.edu
Peer Educator
Kamryn Andes headshot
Kamryn Andes Vet & Biomedical Sc (BS) she/her Ephrata, PA kba5394@psu.edu
Jui Baliga headshot
Jui Baliga Psychology (BA) she/her Mesaimeer Doha, QAT jmb9577@psu.edu
Siddhardha Basu headshot
Siddhardha Basu Comp Sci - Univ Park (BS) he/him Mechanicsburg, PA syb5570@psu.edu
Pradham Bathini headshot
Pradham Bathini Biochem & Molec Biol (BS) he/him Mechanicsburg, PA pkb5363@psu.edu
Lillian Clayton headshot
Lillian Clayton Info Sciences & Tech (PMAJ) she/her Duncansville, PA ljc5970@psu.edu
Giorgio Corti headshot
Giorgio Corti Management (BS) he/him Oggiono, LC gzc5299@psu.edu
Alaina Cummings headshot
Alaina Cummings Nuclear Engineering (BS) she/her Brookhaven, PA anc6008@psu.edu
Cate Didenko headshot
Cate Didenko Biobehavioral Health (BS) she/her Perkasie, PA cmd7071@psu.edu
Kevin Ding headshot
Kevin Ding Biology (BS) he/him Hummelstown, PA kxd5524@psu.edu
Will Draper headshot
Will Draper Science (PMAJ) he/him Springfield, PA wrd5107@psu.edu
Gracy Franco Prasanna headshot
Gracy Franco Prasanna Data Sciences (BS) she/her Nazareth, PA gjf5257@psu.edu
Effie Frank headshot
Effie Frank Imnlgy & Infctus Dis (BS) she/her Valencia, PA evf5331@psu.edu
Ethan Galley headshot
Ethan Galley Criminology (BA) he/him White Oak, PA emg6053@psu.edu
Lianna Gardner headshot
Lianna Gardner Landscape Arch (BLA) Spanish (BA) she/her Oxford, PA lbg5362@psu.edu
Teja Gopalan headshot
Teja Gopalan Psychology (BS) Statistics (BS) they/them State College, PA tzg5122@psu.edu
Carter Henninger headshot
Carter Henninger Mech Engr - Univ Park (BS) he/him Macungie, PA cjh6830@psu.edu
Emily Hidalgo headshot
Emily Hidalgo Mathematics (BS) she/her Richboro, PA ebh5466@psu.edu
Alexandra Iosava headshot
Alexandra Iosava Finance (BS) she/her Newtown, PA avi5217@psu.edu
Sakshi Jain headshot
Sakshi Jain Comp Sci - Univ Park (BS) he/him Chester, PA sbj5481@psu.edu
Tanvi Joshi headshot
Tanvi Joshi Economics (BA) Telecommunications (BA) she/her West Grove, PA tsj5216@psu.edu
Rushil Kakkad headshot
Rushil Kakkad Comp Sci - Univ Park (BS) he/him Pittsburgh, PA rkk5541@psu.edu
Nikitha Kanumuru headshot
Nikitha Kanumuru Mat Sci and Engr (BS) she/her Chester, PA nsk5238@psu.edu
Leah Karwic headshot
Leah Karwic Biochem & Molec Biol (BS) she/her Elverson, PA lek5428@psu.edu
Sarah Kircher headshot
Sarah Kircher Mathematics (BS) she/her Perkasie, PA shk5178@psu.edu
Emmanuel Kraft headshot
Emmanuel Kraft Public Policy (MPP) Comm Arts & Sciences (BS) Political Science (BA) he/him Chevy Chase, MD egk5217@psu.edu
Sam Kratman headshot
Sam Kratman Biology (BS) she/her Lincoln, RI sak6244@psu.edu
Jackie Lewis headshot
Jackie Lewis Architectural Engr (BAE) she/her Leesburg, VA jpl6585@psu.edu
Aditi Maheshwari headshot
Aditi Maheshwari Physics (BS) she/her Breinigsville, PA afm6441@psu.edu
Samuel Martin headshot
Samuel Martin Health Policy/Admin (BS) he/him Newtown, PA sam8048@psu.edu
Gianna Martinelli headshot
Gianna Martinelli International Poltcs (BA) Spanish (BA) she/her Wilmington, DE gtm5192@psu.edu
Miguel Mascarenhas headshot
Miguel Mascarenhas Psychology (BS) he/him Mechanicsburg, PA mmm8348@psu.edu
Kris Mendiratta headshot
Kris Mendiratta Science (PMAJ) he/him West Chester, PA kfm5917@psu.edu
Sagufta Muktadir headshot
Sagufta Muktadir Biomedical Engneerng (BS) she/her King of Prussia, PA sjm7368@psu.edu
Damini Nair headshot
Damini Nair Biology (BS) Psychology (BS) she/her Thiruvananthapuram, KL INDIA dmn5491@psu.edu
UK Nam headshot
UK Nam Biology (BS) he/him Media, PA yfn5069@psu.edu
Emilia Palmer headshot
Emilia Palmer Comp Sci - Univ Park (BS) she/her Garnet Valley, PA eap5759@psu.edu
Kira Perna headshot
Kira Perna Science (PMAJ) she/her Bridgeville, PA kkp5635@psu.edu
Leona Pierce headshot
Leona Pierce Data Sciences (BS) Mathematics (BS) she/they Sammamish, WA ijp5139@psu.edu
Kathryn Pinto headshot
Kathryn Pinto Film Production (BA) Glbl & Intrntl Studs (BA) she/her Shoreline, WA kxp5591@psu.edu
Shreya Rupesh headshot
Shreya Rupesh Comp Sci - Univ Park (BS) she/her Wayne, PA smr7071@psu.edu
Douglas Sanders headshot
Douglas Sanders Liberal Arts (PMAJ) he/him Haymarket, VA dcs5821@psu.edu
Amanda Sargen headshot
Amanda Sargen Mech Engr - Univ Park (BS) she/her York, PA ajs9367@psu.edu
Samantha Sellmann headshot
Samantha Sellmann Psychology (BS) she/her Brick, NJ ses6443@psu.edu
Madeline Shanafelt headshot
Madeline Shanafelt Political Science (BS) Educ & Public Policy (BS) she/her Hollidaysburg, PA mms8193@psu.edu
Maddie Christy Solano headshot
Maddie Christy Solano Comm Sci & Disorders (BS) she/her North Haledon, NJ mcs6300@psu.edu
Christopher Stauffer headshot
Christopher Stauffer Political Science (BA) Economics (BA) he/him Lititz, PA cjs7913@psu.edu
Emily Stoller headshot
Emily Stoller Earth Science & Plcy (BS) Geography (BA) she/her State College, PA ess5534@psu.edu
Sarah Taylor headshot
Sarah Taylor Telecommunications (BA) she/her Newtown, PA smt6314@psu.edu
Lisa Wang headshot
Lisa Wang Biology (BS) she/her Palmyra, PA lzw5522@psu.edu

First-Year Commonwealth Campus Scholars

New Student Orientation (NSO)

Your orientation to Penn State begins during New Student Orientation (NSO). Your Campus will provide more information on NSO dates and requirements. Visit Penn State New Student Orientation (NSO) for details.

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME)

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME), is your required introduction to the College. You'll meet other first-year Scholars as well as Peer Educators who were where you are today not long ago.

SHO TIME prepares you for success on your Schreyer journey and jumpstarts your semester. Peer Educators introduce the College's mission and values, community, student life, resources, and more through a virtual program.

A new Schreyer Scholar at a Commonwealth Campus participating in their virtual SHO TIME orientation program
Schedule

Schedule coming soon. All new Scholars are expected to attend SHO TIME. If you are unable to attend any or all of SHO TIME, email scholars@psu.edu to discuss your options.

Peer Educators

Peer Educators serve as trusted friends, mentors, and advocates for all new Scholars, and they are eager to engage with and support you throughout your orientation experience. If you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to them at the email address listed.

Jackie Lewis headshot
Jackie Lewis Architectural Engr (BAE) she/her Leesburg, VA jpl6585@psu.edu

Current University Park Students

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME)

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME) is your introduction to the College. SHO TIME is where Scholars make connections and find their communities. It also prepares you for success in the College and helps you learn about the benefits and resources you will have access to.

Peer Educators introduce the College's mission and values, community, student life, resources, and more. You'll also get to meet Schreyer staff and get to know some of the people that are here to support you.

Current Penn State students at University Park participating in SHO TIME
Schedule

Schedule coming soon. All new Scholars are expected to attend SHO TIME. If you are unable to attend any or all of SHO TIME, email scholars@psu.edu to discuss your options.

Scholar Involvement Fair & Early Fall Activities

Schreyer Scholars enjoying our Neighborhood Bash event in the fall

In the early fall, Schreyer holds several events to help you get to know the College. We invite you to check out the All-Scholar Involvement Fair to learn about student organizations in Schreyer. You are also encouraged to attend our Neighborhood Bash in the early fall. Get to know your fellow Scholars while enjoying live music, food, and games. Watch for details on the time and location for both events on our event calendar.

Peer Educators

Peer Educators serve as trusted friends, mentors, and advocates for all new Scholars, and they are eager to engage with and support you throughout your orientation experience. If you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to them at the email address listed.

Peer Educator
Carter Henninger headshot
Carter Henninger Mech Engr - Univ Park (BS) he/him Macungie, PA cjh6830@psu.edu

Current Commonwealth Campus Students

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME)

Schreyer Honors Orientation (SHO TIME) is your introduction to the College. It prepares you for success in the College and helps you learn about the benefits and resources you will have access to.

Peer Educators introduce the College's mission and values, community, student life, resources, and more through a virtual program. You'll also get to meet Schreyer staff and get to know some of the people that are here to support you.

A new Schreyer Scholar at a Commonwealth Campus participating in their virtual SHO TIME orientation program
Schedule

Schedule coming soon. All new Scholars are expected to attend SHO TIME. If you are unable to attend any or all of SHO TIME, email scholars@psu.edu to discuss your options.

Peer Educators

Peer Educators serve as trusted friends, mentors, and advocates for all new Scholars, and they are eager to engage with and support you throughout your orientation experience. If you have questions, you are welcome to reach out to them at the email address listed.

Peer Educator
Jackie Lewis headshot
Jackie Lewis Architectural Engr (BAE) she/her Leesburg, VA jpl6585@psu.edu
Schreyer Scholar Andrew Ren

I chose Schreyer because it helped to open doors for me to pursue different opportunities that I was interested in both personally and professionally. Schreyer is unique because it provides a breadth of great experiences, whether that be student groups, research labs, or internships, all while maintaining an intimate relationship with each individual student.

Andrew Ren ' 18 Electrical Engineering

Are You Ready? New Scholar Experience

New Student Orientation (NSO) Arrival Information