The Early Transition Program (ETP) is a leadership experience that takes place before the opening of the university and extends throughout the school year. All underrepresented students are encouraged to participate. Your mentors are upper-class students who are ready and willing to show you the ropes and make your transition into college easier and fun. It is a support group, a network, a sisterhood.

Below is a tentative schedule. You will receive an updated schedule upon arrival on campus. All events, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check back often for updates.

Why ETP?

• You'll arrive early to campus
• You'll enjoy a fun-filled and informative first experience as a college student
• You'll meet other new students from underrepresented groups, along with current student leaders, faculty, and staff
• You'll become familiar with campus locations, programs, services, and opportunities
• You'll get to know the Roanoke Valley
• You'll meet with the group weekly throughout the term
• You'll participate in ETP-sponsored service projects
• You'll attend a leadership retreat at a rustic mountain center mid term
• You'll be part of a strong support system that lasts throughout the year
• You'll establish lifelong relationships

What students say

If you're not sure ETP is for you, take a look at these comments from four past participants:

 

	"I was a participant in the Early Transition Program all four years at Hollins and I can honestly say that I don't believe I would have made it past my first year without its support. I went through a lot that year, but I could always count on my ETP advisor, mentors, and fellow mentees to see me through it all. As a mentor I learned how to lead as well as follow, and the people I have met through this program have helped shape me into the woman I am today." —Tiffany Allen '10
	"My only regret during my time at Hollins is not participating in the ETP program right away. I did not come as a first-year student, but wish I had. Once I stepped foot on campus and I saw the immediate connection that had been established between those young women who had participated, I was so jealous. I wanted to be a part of the sisterhood they had made with the women of our class as well as the upper-class women. Once associate dean, Jeri Suarez, found me, I decided that that was my chance to join that sisterhood. I became a mentor in my sophomore year and remained one for three years. I was able to share my experiences and give advice to the incoming classes of women, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my Hollins career. I wouldn’t change it for the world." —Larielle Major ’10
	"I came into the ETP program as a freshman. Going to a brand-new place where you don’t know anyone is scary, but meeting a wonderful group of women who are so welcoming and kindhearted helped with my transition to college. The ETP program builds a sisterhood between a group of women that can last a lifetime. I have made friendships that I know will last forever!" —Symphoni Lipscomb '11
	"During my freshman year at Hollins, ETP became more than a support group. The program introduced me to academic resources and attentive mentors who felt more like friends and sisters, gave me access to campus social life, and of course it was always fun and engaging." —Mel Sherrer '13

Schedule

Tuesday, August 28, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m	Check-In: A special university check-in is set up to greet the ETP students when you arrive. Once you have completed the process, you will be given your keys for your residence hall room (if applicable). The peer mentors will be there to greet you and will assist students that need help locating their residence hall: Moody Center Lobby
2:30 p.m.	"Meet and Greet" Icebreakers, team building exercises, and informal introductions with peer mentors and Associate Dean: Botetourt Reading Room Welcome to Hollins and Cultural & Community Engagement” Welcome and opening discussion about the ETP and how to get involved in Cultural & Community Engagement at Hollins, Jeri Suarez, Associate Dean: Botetourt Reading Room
5:00 p.m.	Dinner with Peer Mentors (bring socks for bowling to dinner): Moody Dining Hall
6:15 p.m.	Bowling. A night of bowling with peer mentors, new international students and Jeri Suarez: Roanoke
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
8:00 a.m.	ETP wake up call! Peer mentors and MIT’s go & wake up students! (one peer mentor meet commuter students in Moody lobby)
8:15 a.m.	Breakfast with peer mentors: Moody Dining Hall
8:45 a.m.	Campus tour with mentors (2 groups)
9:50 a.m.	Greetings from Dean Patty O’Toole: Botetourt Reading Room
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	"Leading by Example" informal discussion led by student leaders of the importance of your voice in student government and campus organizations: Botetourt Reading Room
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.	Informal discussion with Parents/Guardians Jeri will lead a session to answer questions that parents may have about Hollins or the college life experience: Gordh Room, duPont Chapel
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.	Success Skills. Getting in seems easy, but staying in takes work. Learn how to make the grades to stay at Hollins University: Botetourt Reading Room
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Informal luncheon discussion with President Gray. President Nancy Gray will join us as we enjoy an informal discussion and lunch together: Botetourt Reading Room
1:15 p.m.	Introduction to the Batten Leadership Institute with Dr. Abrina Schnurman-Crook, Director: Botetourt Reading Room
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.	Peer Mentor Activity: Botetourt Reading Room
2:45 p.m.	Wrap up session with Jeri and Peer Mentors
5:00 p.m.	Dinner with Peer Mentors: Moody Dining Hall
6:15 p.m.	Trip to the Mall/Stores. (meet at Moody Center): Roanoke
Thursday, August 30, 2012
8:15 a.m.	Breakfast with Peer Mentor (optional): Moody Dining Hall
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	University Check-In: Moody Center University Orientation
Monday, September 3, 2012
6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.	First ETP Dinner Meeting. Our team will meet on a weekly basis at dinner time to check in with each other, provide updates and socialize: Intercultural Center, lower level, Moody Student Center
Friday, September 7, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Cultural & Community Engagement Opening Celebration. Join us so we may introduce you to other upper class students, faculty and staff on campus: duPont Chapel Patio