Welcome to the First Year Connections Program which connects first year students with one another, with faculty and staff, with academic departments, and with other NJIT students and resources.

The First Year Connections Program has three exciting components:

1. Connections Miniversity

Connections Miniversity is a fast moving two-day overnight orientation program for all incoming first year students. It is organized around academic majors and colleges, so when you go to Miniversity you will immediately connect with people like you. You will join a cluster of 12-15 new students with the same major. You will be led by an upperclassman or Connections Cluster Coordinator.

In large and small groups you will learn all about NJIT, the people, the resources, and the many ways that you can connect with everything you need for success.

Staying overnight will give you a real taste of life at NJIT. You will be eating great food and you will be entertained and begin new friendships. You will also meet your Dean, your academic advisor, register for fall classes and learn all about your academic program.

Connections Miniversity continues through the summer in a virtual way, with your Cluster Coordinator keeping you connected with one another as you prepare for the year ahead.

You will be notified about your assignment to Connections Miniversity once you have taken your placement tests and paid your tuition deposit. Participation is required of all new full time undergraduate students.

2.  Connections First Year Seminar

First Year Seminar is the introductory course to your life at NJIT and beyond. It is divided into two parts: The first six weeks will help you to transition to your new life as an NJIT student and as an independent adult. Expect to learn a lot about yourself and your career.

Several of the First Year Seminar topics include: Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Student; Communication Skills; Ethics; Time Management; Study Skills; and Working Successfully in a Group.

The last four weeks are an introduction to the NJIT College in which you are enrolled---Engineering, Science and Liberal Arts, Management, Computer Science and Architecture. You will meet according to your college to learn about majors, meet the chairs and faculty and get a broader look at exciting developments in your field.

Seminar will culminate with setting goals with your advisor for your academic and professional development.

3. Connections Events and Traditions

First Year Connections Events and Traditions extend throughout the academic year. Organized by Cluster Coordinators, Events and Traditions include a wide range of programs and activities. These include small scale events for specific Clusters (bowling, going to the movies or having a study session) as well as large scale programs such as First Year Convocation and   Dean’s Night, where each of the academic Deans give a talk to the first year students enrolled in their college.

Also planned are field trips to local museums, historic sites and New York City, as well as field trips and community service projects.

Connections will also field a number of intramural teams, hold sporting events and will plan group attendance at the Newark Bears Riverfront Stadium, as well as NJIT Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball and Basketball.

All of these programs, large scale and small, connect students in a variety of contexts.

Program Staff

Associate Dean for First Year Students
Dr. Sharon Morgan

Testing and Placement Coordinator
Mrs. Margo Gilchrist

Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Antonina Penna

2008 Connections Miniversity Lead Coordinators:

• Michael Lawson
• Nicole Mavropoulos

2008 Connections Miniversity Cluster Coordinators:

• Christopher Borie
• Dominick Cirillo
• Jason Cornwell
• Matthew De Vito
• Jonn-David Gutierrez
• Lesley Hendricks
• Teresa Higgins
• Xavier Lee
• Jesper Lund
• Leanne Marano
• Joseph Merritt
• Yevgeniy Mershon
• Jeffrey Pierik-Page
• Samantha Pearson
• Byron Smith
• Nadene Taylor
• Samantha Verdina
• Marie Zoghbi