A long-standing TCNJ tradition, Welcome Week is the culminating event of your transition to the College. Comprised of 100+ mandatory and optional events, this five-day program for ALL new students (first-years and transfers) will allow you to create memories that will truly last a lifetime. This year’s dates are Thursday, August 21 – Monday, August 25.

Schedule

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Welcome Week is your launchpad into life at TCNJ featuring a week packed with energy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. From inspiring speakers to spirited traditions, from making new friends to discovering your favorite campus hangouts, this is where your Lion journey truly begins.

Whether you’re cheering at events, diving into student orgs, or just soaking in the campus vibes, Welcome Week is all about YOU! Your story. Your community. Your future. Let’s go, Lions!

• 2025 Welcome Week Final Schedule!
• Academic Welcome Day is a mandatory event for all new students, including first-years and transfers, and it takes place on Monday, August 25, 2025. The fall semester begins on Tuesday, August 26 with the first day of classes.

Kick-Off Meeting Information

• Residential First-Year Students: Your “Welcome to Welcome Week” kick-off meeting with your residence hall floor will start at 2:00p on Thursday, August 21. Your Transition Leaders will meet you on your floor to review the schedule and answer any questions you have. Please make sure to arrive back on campus during the time window assigned to you by the Office of Residential Education & Housing.
• Campus Town First-Year Students: Your “Welcome to Welcome Week” kick-off meeting with your Transition Leaders will start at 2:00p on Thursday, August 21. Your Transition Leaders will meet you in Brower Student Center Room 222 to review the schedule and answer any questions you have. Please make sure to arrive back on campus during the time window assigned to you by Campus Town.
• Commuter First-Year Students: Your “Welcome to Welcome Week” kick-off meeting will start at 6:30p on Thursday, August 21 at the Trenton Hall Lawn (Rain Location: Brower Student Center). Your Transition Leaders will review the schedule and make sure you are included in the ever important Welcome Week GroupMe so you can stay connected throughout the program. We will also host a pizza dinner (for commuting students only) from 6:30-7:00p before the kick-off meeting.
• Residential Transfer Students: Your “Welcome to Welcome Week” kick-off meeting will start at 7:00p on Thursday, August 21 at the Trenton Hall Lawn. Your Griffins will review the schedule and make sure you are included in the ever important Welcome Week GroupMe so you can stay connected throughout the program. Please remember to grab dinner in Eickhoff Hall beforehand!
• Commuter Transfer Students: Your “Welcome to Welcome Week” kick-off meeting will start at 6:30p on Thursday, August 21 at the Trenton Hall Lawn (Rain Location: Brower Student Center). Your Griffins will review the schedule and make sure you are included in the ever important Welcome Week GroupMe so you can stay connected throughout the program. We will also host a pizza dinner (for commuting students only) from 6:30-7:00p before the kick-off meeting.

Mandatory Sessions

All incoming new students are required to attend three (3) sessions as a part of Welcome Week. This year’s sessions are:

• Brave Enough to Belong: Conversations that Create Community with Dr. Erica W. Valenzuela (Friday, August 22)- Brower Student Center Rm 100
• Can I Kiss You? with Mike Domitrz (Saturday, August 23)- Kendall Hall Main Stage
• A Better High with Dr. Matt Bellace (Sunday, August 24)- Kendall Hall Main Stage

All mandatory sessions will take place in Brower Student Center or Kendall Hall Main Stage, and doors will open approximately 20 minutes prior to start time. All residential first-year and transfer students are expected to attend in person. There is no streaming option to watch the sessions live online. Please reference the Welcome Week 2025 Schedule or check with your CA or Transition Leader for session times (assigned based on your floor or building).

Curious to know when your mandatory sessions will be? Take a look at the schedule here!

CAPS Drop-In Sessions

Like all TCNJ administrative offices, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is open Monday-Friday from 8:30a-4:30p. If you need some support during Welcome Week over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) CAPS will be available online:

• Saturday, August 23, from 9:00a-11:00a | Link to Zoom
• Sunday, August 24 from 10:00a-12:00p | Link to Zoom

Click on the link below and a counselor will meet with you. Private meeting spaces are available upstairs in the Brower Student Center; just bring your laptop and let the Info Desk know you’d like to use one of the conference rooms.

Academic Welcome Day

Academic Welcome Day will take place on Monday, August 25.

• All new students (first-years and transfers) will participate in a formal introduction to their academic school and department (separate Dean and Department Welcomes). This portion of Academic Welcome Day will run from approximately 10:00a-4:00p featuring various activities throughout the day.
• The dress code for Academic Welcome Day is SPIRIT BLUE & GOLD! Plan for your fit to include your favorite TCNJ swag or blue and gold gear. Don’t have any? No worries! All new students receive a TCNJ Athletics “Welcome to the Lions Den” shirt at the start of Welcome Week that will be a perfect choice.
• Academic Welcome Day 2025 Schedule