Welcome Week Schedule
Welcome Week Schedule 2026
Wednesday, August 19 — Sunday, August 23
Connect. Engage. Belong.
Be sure to follow @ncc_oseb and @nccorientation for Welcome Week updates!
Wednesday, August 19
7:30am–1:00pm: New Resident Student Move-In
Various Residence Halls (First-Year and Transfers)
Check your North Central College email for more information about how you will move into your Residence Hall.
9:30am–10:30am: Cardinal First Family Breakfast (First-Gen Students & Families only)
Wentz Concert Hall Lobby
This continental breakfast is for all incoming first-generation college students* and their parents/family. Students will meet several Cardinal First Ambassadors (first-gen upper-level students), faculty and staff who were first-generation college students, and the First-Generation Programs team. RSVP requested – All details and RSVP link in emails from Cardinal First.
*First-generation students are defined as neither parent having a four-year degree.
Follow Cardinal First on social media @firstgencardinals
11:00am–1:00pm: Commuter Student Check-In (Commuter Students only)
Jefferson Lounge (Adjacent to Seager Residence Hall)
All first-year and new transfer commuter students should check in to receive important Welcome Week information.
12:00pm–2:00pm: Welcome BBQ
Jefferson Lawn (Outside Wentz Science Center)
Kick off Welcome Week with food, fun giveaways, and helpful campus resources!
Stop by the Campus Store during Move-in Day for exclusive Back-to-School specials and campus essentials! Campus Store open 8:00am–5:00pm. Follow the Campus Store on social media @ncc_campus_store
2:30pm–3:30pm: New Cardinal Convocation
Wilde Residence Hall/Recreation Center Arena (Res Rec)
At 2:00pm, new students will gather in groups with their First-Year Mentor (FYM) or a Transfer Leader at Jefferson Lawn. Families make their way to Res/Rec Arena.
First-year students – You have received an email from your First-Year Mentor (FYM) regarding the CARD110: Cardinal Experience course. Your CARD110 class section is listed in that email, on your course schedule, and on your Welcome Week name tag. FYMs will be holding signs for each class group to gather and "scan in" for attendance prior to moving on to the next scheduled event.
3:30pm–4:30pm: Family Farewell Reception (Families & Guests Only)
Wilde Residence Hall/Recreation Center Arena (immediately following New Cardinal Convocation)
After New Cardinal Convocation, families are invited to stay and enjoy light refreshments while mingling with other families and some NC staff. Whether you stay for just a few minutes or the full hour, this is a time for families to say their farewells to their students and connect with other families to begin the NC journey together—before heading home. Stay connected on Facebook!
New students will have an opportunity to say goodbye to their families and supporters during the farewell reception. New students should be prepared for the next Welcome Week activity at 5:00pm.
5:00pm–7:30pm: Meet Your Neighbors & Dinner (Resident Students only)
Various Residence Halls | Kaufman Dining Hall
Get to know fellow resident students living in your on-campus community!
Follow Res Life on social media @nccreslife
5:00pm–7:00pm: Commuter Connection & Dinner (Commuter Students only)
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Connect with fellow commuter students and learn about commuter life resources!
Follow OSEB on social media @ncc_oseb
7:30pm–10:00pm: Movie Night (All Students)
Jefferson Lawn (rain location: Pfeiffer Hall)
Join the Residence Hall Association (RHA) for a movie night (film to be decided) and late-night snacks!
Follow RHA on social media @nccrha
Thursday, August 20
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
10:00am–11:00am: The Hook Up
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Hooking up can often sound like harmless fun, but it can also be a cover for some very unhealthy behaviors. Join the Office of Title IX in this engaging discussion that "pulls back the covers" on hooking up, clarifies the importance of consent when it’s actually sexual violence, and prepares bystanders to recognize predatory behavior (and stop it).
11:00am–12:00pm: Say What?!
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Join the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging in this interactive workshop where participants learn how to create a more respectful campus community through greater cultural understanding.
Follow OSEB on social media @ncc_oseb
12:00pm–1:30pm: Lunch
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for lunch at K-man!
1:00pm–3:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
"Fast Friends" Speed Dating in Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center (WSC)
Join the Dyson Wellness Center and Peer Health Educators for a trail mix bar and interactive workshop about developing healthy peer relationships! Choose one of the following timeslots:
Session I – 1:00pm–2:00pm
Session 2 – 2:00pm–3:00pm
Follow DWC on social media @dysonwellnesscenter
Optional Drop-in Advising in Oesterle Library LIB 100
Need to chat with a member of the Student Success team? Stop by our Drop-in hours where all members of the Student Success team (Success Coaches, Student Disability Services, etc.) will be present. No appointments are needed!
Follow Student Success on social media @nccstudentsuccess
3:30pm–5:00pm: Meet Your First-Year Mentor (First-Year Students)
Find your FYM outside Wentz Science Center (Jefferson Lawn)
First-year students will reconnect with their FYM to guide them to the next Welcome Week activity: Meet Your First-Year Mentor! Students get an opportunity to get to know their FYM and fellow classmates before classes even start!
Follow First-Year Experience on social media @nc_cardinalexperience
3:30pm–5:00pm: Transfer Student Connection (Transfer Students)
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Transfer students will reconnect with the Transfer Leader to guide them to the next Welcome Week activity: Transfer Student Connection! Meet fellow transfer students and start building your community from day one!
Follow Transfer Connections on social media @ncctransferconnect
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
5:00pm–6:30pm: College Scholars Honors Dinner (Honors Program Students Only)
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Honors Dinner to welcome our new College Scholars.
Follow College Scholars on social media @ncc.honors
6:30pm–8:00pm: Comedy Show with Cody Woods
Wentz Concert Hall
Join the Cardinal Activities Board for award-winning comedian, Cody Woods! With sharp wit, hilarious impressions, and quick improvisation, Cody delivers a comedy show that keeps every crowd laughing.
Follow CAB on social media @ncc_cab
Friday, August 21
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
10:00am–11:00am: Shot of Reality
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Join the Dyson Wellness Center for this alcohol awareness program performed by two professional comedians who engage students in conversations about responsible alcohol use, drunk driving, peer pressure, and safety strategies, equipping students with the knowledge to make informed choices.
11:00am–12:00pm: Campus Safety
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Learn about Campus Safety Officers, emergency alerts, our 24/7 safety hotline, and other resourced that keep North Central College a safe campus community.
Follow Campus Safety on social media @ncc.campussafety
12:00pm–1:30pm: Lunch
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for lunch at K-man!
1:00pm–3:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Tabletop Gaming Guild in WAC 200 Multipurpose Room
Join Dyson Wellness Center & Oesterle Library to play tabletop role playing games! No experience necessary.
Follow Tabletop Gaming Guild on social media @ncc_tabletopgamingguild
Optional Drop-in Advising in Oesterle Library LIB 100
Need to chat with a member of the Student Success team? Stop by our Drop-in hours where all members of the Student Success team (Success Coaches, Student Disability Services, etc.) will be present. No appointments are needed!
Follow Student Success on social media @nccstudentsuccess
Campus Resource Tour
Transition Team members will be stationed as various buildings across campus to answer any questions you may have. Students are encouraged to walk their schedules, become familiar with campus resource locations, and discover all the places that make campus feel like home.
3:00pm–4:30pm: Ice Cream Social with Cabinet
Jefferson Lawn (rain location: Stevenson Hall, WSC)
Join North Central College President Gòkè-Pariolá (G-P), Vice President for Student Life Dr. Vicki Williams, and the entire senior leadership team, for Ben & Jerry's ice cream and casual conversations that foster community and connection!
Follow President G-P and VP Williams on social media @nccpresidentgp @nccvpwilliams
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
7:00pm–10:00pm: Red & White Night
Gregory Arena, Merner Fieldhouse | Championship Plaza
At 6:30pm, all new Cardinals will meet their FYM at Old Main Lawn (by the flagpole) to pick up their FREE NC t-shirt, check in for attendance, and receive fun Red & White Night giveaways. Be sure to wear your NC t-shirt for the new Cardinal photo at Merner!
Join us for our beginning-of-the-year kickoff pep rally to learn Cardinal traditions, including the NCC Fight Song, with performances from the dance team, cheer team, and marching band. Enjoy food trucks, music, photo booth strips, and more fun!
Saturday, August 22
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
10:00am–11:00am: Yoga
Res Rec 3rd Floor
Join Campus Recreation and Dyson Wellness Center for a calming yoga session designed to help you relax and reset! Start the academic year feeling refreshed, centered, and ready to take on what's ahead.
11:00am–1:00pm: "Dogs & Dogs" Lunch on the Lawn
Jefferson Plaza (rain location: Stevenson Hall, WSC)
Join us for hot dogs and therapy dogs! Stop by Jefferson Lounge to hang out with some furry friends to ease those beginning-of-the-year jitters, stress, and anxiety, then head over to the Cardinal Cookout for lunch!
Follow our NC Dining partner @dineatnc
1:00pm–3:00pm: "Cardinal Connections" Breakout Session Rotations
Wentz Science Center
More information coming soon!
3:00pm–5:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Bags Tournament on Jefferson Lawn (rain location: Stevenson Hall, WSC)
Join the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging for a friendly cornhole competition! Wining duo will receive the ultimate prize! All skill levels welcome.
Jeopardy in WSC 101
Come test your knowledge, compete with new friends, and show off your trivia skills! Play for a chance to win exciting prizes!
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
6:00pm–9:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Game Night in Res Rec 3rd floor
More information coming soon!
Laser Tag in Gregory Arena, Merner Fieldhouse
More information coming soon!
Open Gym in Res Rec Courts
More information coming soon!
Roller Rink in Res Rec Courts
More information coming soon!
Sunday, August 23
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
10:00am–1:00pm: Downtown Naperville Excursions
Various Locations in Downtown Naperville
Students can choose to shop Downtown Naperville, explore the Riverwalk and Paddleboat Quarry, or visit Centennial Beach. Please note that students are responsible for covering all costs associated with their excursion, including lunch. Students can meet at 9:30am on Jefferson Lawn to choose which activity to join. Centennial Beach is $10 per student with a valid North Central College ID. Check out more DTN discounts here.
Alternative Activity: Board Games & E-sports (until 12:00pm)
Students can choose to join us in Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition with a variety of board games and e-sports matches. Students still interested in exploring Downtown Naperville can join a Cardinal Transition Leader at 12:00pm for a guided walk.
12:00pm–1:30pm: Lunch
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for lunch at K-man!
1:00pm–4:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Relaxation Craft Station in Madden Theatre
More information coming soon!
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!