Eastern Student Michael Theriault Serves as SOC in SOAR Program

2017 Jun 13

Twenty students at Eastern Connecticut State University are serving as student orientation counselors (SOCs) for the university's summer orientation program for incoming students. The SOAR program-Student Orientation, Advising and Registration-is designed to introduce new students to life at Eastern and provide academic advising before the start of the fall semester.

Among the SOCs is Michael Theriault '19 of Southington, who majors in Pre-Secondary Education Certification and History. SOCs serve as guides and mentors as they lead groups of incoming students through informational sessions and social events.

"In this SOAR session, I'm looking forward to building friendships with my fellow SOCs, as well as the incoming students," said Theriault. "I'm also very excited to show these students the many assets that make Eastern such a great and welcoming environment. When I was an incoming student, the SOCs did such a great job of this and it made me very eager to start my life on campus. I hope to do the same for these students.

"I want incoming students to know just how easy it is to get involved and build friendships at Eastern," added Theriault. "This was one of my biggest fears coming into college. I realized once I moved in that simply going to campus events was a fun and simple way to put myself out there. Also, being a member of any of Eastern's clubs and organizations helped me to meet friends and be an active part of campus. I hope to stress the significance and simplicity of finding a club that fits them best, as there are more than 80!"

SOAR is meant to inform new students about campus resources and opportunities and help them adjust to life on a college campus. The two-day, overnight program is broken up into six sessions throughout the month of June, allowing hundreds of incoming students the opportunity to meet their soon-to-be classmates, student leaders and staff.