What is IMPACT Pre-Orientation or Pre-O?

IMPACT (Influencing and Maximizing Positive Academic and Campus Transitions) is a Pre-Orientation experience designed to support incoming first-year and transfer students as they begin their transition to Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU). Open to all new students, IMPACT is a unique opportunity to explore what it means to be a Titan through a multicultural lens.

Rooted in the University’s commitment to inclusive excellence, IMPACT engages students in understanding the value of diversity as respect for all community members, and inclusion as a campus environment where everyone feels a sense of welcome and belonging. 

Participants will be introduced to our campus community and connect with fellow new students, returning student leaders, and peers from other pre-orientation programs such as International Orientation. Through interactive activities and sessions with faculty, staff, and administrators, students will learn how to navigate academic, personal, social, and cultural life at IWU. 

Participants will also engage in Bridging the Gap, a nationally recognized, dialogue-based program that fosters courageous conversations across lines of difference. Through this experience, students will explore identity, perspective-taking, and shared values, building skills to bridge divides and strengthen campus connection. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and values as they develop a personal action plan for contributing to a welcoming campus culture.  

IMPACT Pre-Orientation offers the following benefits: 

• Build lasting friendships with fellow incoming students with a focus on IWU’s campus diversity
• Develop communication and conflict management skills for deliberate dialogue
• Learn about IWU’s academic, personal, social, and cultural support systems
• Connect with faculty, staff, administrators, and student mentors
• Discover the Office of Campus Culture
• Gain familiarity with the IWU campus and the Bloomington-Normal community
• Participate in interactive team-building and intercultural awareness sessions
• Move in Sunday, August 17, 2025

 

Register for 2025 IMPACT Pre-Orientation here.

 

Make sure you also check out information about Turning Titan: New Student Orientation.

 

Student Experiences with the IMPACT Program

"Students considering participating in the IMPACT program, my advice is take the leap and embrace the oppurtunity to step out of your comfort zone. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there but, you'll have chance to gain new experiences and make valuable connections with peers and mentors".- Asael Sanchez, He/Him, Class of '25

"...Without IMPACT, I would have been extremely disconnected from campus... Additionally, IMPACT led me to STEP which pushed me to be further involved on campus. IMPACT was my gateway into the my student involvement and without IMPACT I wouldn't have the friends I have or the experience I have." - Em Chamberlain, They/Them, Class of '25

"...During the IMPACT Program I met students who looked like me along with have culture similarities as me. I met students who looked like me along with have culture similarities as me. These various students and I were able to get along really well and communicated during and after regular orientation." - Cloud Benn, They/Them, Class of '25

"IMPACT was an important part of my campus-community building experience in the sense that I was able to socialize with like minded people and I was comforted by our similar experiences."- Melanie, They/She, Class of '25

"IMPACT helped me find a sense of community by allowing me to connect with students who looked like me." - Daniel Porea, They/He, Class of '25

 

 

La Pre-Orientación

¿Qué es la Pre-Orientación? ¿Qué significa?

Cada año, ODI les ofrece una pre-orientacion gratis a todos los nuevos estudiantes de color.

IMPACT es un programa diseñado para asistir a nuevos estudiantes multiculturales en la transición a la universidad Illinois Wesleyan. IMPACT introduce a los estudiantes de primer año a nuestra diversa comunidad y les brinda la oportunidad de conocer e interactuar con nuevos y antiguos estudiantes que sirven como líderes de pre-orientación así como también tienen la oportunidad de conocer a los estudiantes participando en la pre-orientación internacional y la pre-orientación abordando diversidad. Aparte de conocer a nuevos estudiantes, los participantes de IMPACT aprenderán acerca de los recursos académicos, personales, sociales, y culturales que existen en la universidad a través de actividades interactivas y sesiones informativas con miembros de la facultad y administradores.

La Pre-Orientación IMPACT ofrece los siguientes beneficios:

• Conoce otros estudiantes de color y desarrolla nuevas amistades
• Aprende acerca de los recursos académicos, personales, sociales, y culturales que IWU ofrece
• Forma conexiones con la facultad, personal, y administradores
• Aprende acerca del programa de mentoría de la oficina de diversidad e inclusión
• Familiarizate con el campus y la comunidad de Bloomington-Normal
• Participa en actividades interactivas de trabajo en equipo y actividades de conciencia cultural
• Alójate en tu dormitorio asignado temprano

Otra informacion importante:  

• La información sobre los hoteles en Bloomington-Normal (en inglés)
• Como llegar a Illinois Wesleyan (en inglés)
• Un mapa de Illinois Wesleyan (en inglés)

Asegúrate de también fijarte en la information de Convirtiendote en Titán:

Orientación para nuevos estudiantes (en inglés)