First Year Experience

Warhawk Welcome

Together with your Peer Mentor you'll meet other new students, learn more about the University, and become part of the Warhawk community through campus-wide traditions!

Join Us at Warhawk Welcome

Warhawk Welcome is required for first year students and highly recommended for transfer students. All new students are welcome including those commuting to campus! It's a great time for everyone!

Schedule listed below!

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Be Warhawk Bold at Warhawk Welcome!

Fall 2026 Warhawk Welcome Dates

Sunday, August 30th- Tuesday, September 1st 

Any Questions?
First Year Experience is here to support you!
262-472-3205
fye@uww.edu

Warhawk Welcome Schedule

Meet your Peer Mentor in your assigned location. Don’t know which group you’re in? It’s listed on the back of your name badge. Didn’t check-in? Go to the Hamilton Room tomorrow morning by 10 am. With your Peer Mentor, you’ll learn more about campus, meet other new Warhawks, and create a culture of connection! 

  • New Student Night Rotations (5:00 pm-8:00 pm)
    • Students living on-campus will kick off their first night by connecting with neighbors and resident assistants!
    • Look for signage on your residence hall floor for timing of your rotations.
  • Ice Cream Social & UC Live Trivia (9:00-10:30 pm)
    • Connect with your neighbors and fellow Warhawks over ice cream at Esker hall.
  • Late Check-In UC Hamilton Room (8:30 am-10:00 am)
    • If you missed check-in yesterday, please stop by to pick up your free t-shirt and weekend schedule.
  • Multiple Events (10:00 am-2:00 pm)

Peer Mentor Time & Lunch

      • Meet your Peer Mentor in your assigned classroom. Don’t know which group you’re in? It’s listed on the back on your namebadge and in the Connect2 app. Didn’t check-in yesterday or have questions? Go to the UC Info Desk.

Can I Kiss You? 

A high energy, engaging, inclusive program that provides specific how-to skills for teaching consent, respect in relationships, bystander intervention, and addressing sexual assault. Win free t-shirts!

  • Break & Dinner on Your Own (2:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
    • Explore Esker and Drumlin for dinner with your fellow Warhawks!
  • Hawk Fest (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
    • Join us for a festival! Visit with campus departments and local businesses, pick up your free bags, giveaways, play lawn games, and more!
  • Late Check-In: Purple Tent on Warhawk Drive (8:30 am-10:00 am)
    • Didn’t check-in? You still can at the purple tent.
  • Meet Your Peer Mentor (9:45 am)
    • Meet at your group’s assigned location.
  • Multiple Events (10:00 am-2:00 pm)
    • Paint It Purple
      • With your Peer Mentor, you will leave your mark on campus and paint the road purple! Be sure to wear the purple shirt provided to you at check-in.
    • Mentor Time & Lunch
      • Bring your HawkCard as you’ll be using your meal plan for lunch. Don’t have a meal plan? A lunch has been added to your HawkCard. For lunch it’s important to go to your assigned dining hall at your assigned time, so please check with your Peer Mentor for details. 
    • Advising 101
      • The Academic Advising & Exploration Center (AAEC) will explain the academic advising process, Canvas, and important dates and deadlines. Be sure to take notes!
  • Academic College Open House (2:00 pm-4:00 pm)

Take some time to explore campus and find where your classes will be on day one. Engage with staff from your academic college during this informal open house. Stop by for some free giveaways, ask questions, and start your Warhawk journey with confidence!

Locations are listed below:

Letters and Sciences Majors: Stop in the Dean's Suite (4th Floor Laurentide) to meet the college advisors and Deans

Education Majors: Stop by Third floor McCutchan to meet the college advisors and Deans

Arts & Communication Majors: Stop by the Greenhill Center of the Arts to make a wish at the Merchild Fountain and to meet the college advisor, career advisor, and Dean 

Business & Economics Majors: Stop in the CoBE Advising and Academic Success Center on the 1st floor of Hyland, to meet college advisors and the Dean. Take professional headshots using the IRIS booth.

Rock County Campus Majors: Stop in UC 259 to meet a college advisor who will support you in your transition.

  • Break & Dinner on Your Own (4:00 pm-6:30 pm)
    • Explore Esker and Drumlin for dinner with your fellow Warhawks!
  • RU Purple (7:00 pm-8:00 pm)
    • Join your Peer Mentor at the road. As a group, you’ll run through Perkins Stadium and into the home stands! You’ll hear from the UWW Marching Band, Cheer and Dance Teams, and more! Don’t forget to wear the purple shirt from check-in. Experience this campus tradition!

Peer Mentor

Peer Mentors serve as a resource to new students during their first semester at UW-Whitewater, leading them through Warhawk Welcome, joining them in their New Student Seminar section, and checking-in individually. Throughout the fall semester, Peer Mentors remain in contact with new students to answer questions and help them feel at home on campus. 

If you're a freshman at UW-Whitewater, you've got a Peer Mentor.

Team Transfer

Team Transfer is made up of Transfer Orientation Leaders, Rock Orientation Leaders, and Transfer Peer Mentors that help new transfer students feel at home during their transition to UW-Whitewater. Transfer Orientation Leaders serve as a resource to transfer students during Warhawk Welcome and their first week on campus. Transfer Peer Mentors stay with transfer students throughout the fall semester, join them in their New Student Seminar section, and check-in with each student individually.

If you're a new transfer student at UW-Whitewater, you have support from Team Transfer!

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