New Student Orientation

Students holding signs that say "Welcome to Cecil College."

Welcome to Cecil College! We understand that embarking on a new educational journey can be both exciting and overwhelming. To assist students with their transition to Cecil College, we have created a New Student Orientation, which is an intentional and comprehensive approach to assisting students with their transition to Cecil College and college life.


Orientation Sessions

Students entering Cecil College for the Fall 2024 semester are required to attend a New Student Orientation session. Here's what to expect:

  • Hear from our College President, Dr. Mary Way Bolt.
  • Learn about Cecil College's many academic support resources, student support resources, and student life programs and activities.
  • Become aware of Cecil College's campus policies and security measures.
  • Ask any questions that you may have about what to expect at Cecil College.
  • Participate in a campus tour with a college ambassador (in person).

Dates for Fall 2024 sessions will be announced prior to the start of the semester.

For more information, please contact the Student Life Office by email at studentlife@nullcecil.edu or by phone at (443) 674-1989.

New Student Checklist

To assist new students in preparing for their first semester at Cecil College, a checklist along with helpful links is available online at cecil.edu/checklist.

Parking & Cecil Transit

Parking is free! You are free to park anywhere other than the spaces marked “Reserved.” Be sure to arrive early to campus as spaces tend to fill up quickly!

Need a ride to the New Student Orientation session or just to the campus to attend classes? Cecil Transit bus service offers a route that connects surrounding counties to both our North East and Elkton Station campuses.

Campus Map

Find what you are looking for before you visit our campuses. The campus map is easy to navigate and can be used on any device (laptop, tablet, or smartphone). Information includes accessibility, most visited, parking, and points of interest. Here are some quick and easy instructions:

  1. Use the Map Legend menu to select the type of location you are looking for and display the associated icons on the map.
  2. Select either the locations from the dropdown menu or by clicking the icons on the map for images, video, description, and contact info.
  3. Below the map, you’ll find a button that links to a map of the other campus (Elkton Station if on the North East Campus map, or vice versa).

Accessibility Services

We welcome all student abilities on campus. Accessibility Services helps students with disabilities access the resources and accommodations they need for success.

If you have a learning disability or a medical or mental health diagnosis that could impact your education, we want you to connect with us. Students must self-identify to Accessibility Services to obtain academic accommodations. Please note students with disabilities are not required to self-disclose or receive services while at Cecil College. The student decides if they wish to pursue accommodations or not.

To request disability related accommodations, email accessibilityservices@nullcecil.edu or call (443) 674-1993 to schedule an appointment.

New Student Orientation Courses

To be successful at college you need to be able to work independently as well as collaboratively. You need to manage your time and be proactive when it comes to getting the work done well and on time. College is all about you taking responsibility and charting your own course. There are several skills required for your success. Despite your previous education, many of them will be new to you. Cecil College has developed courses specifically for you as a new student. Both of these courses will help you get started. Read the descriptions and ask an advisor which one is right for you.

College Success Seminar (COL 081, 1 credit)
An entry-level course that presents study skills for courses in all disciplines. Course content from various disciplines, guest lecturers, and orientation assignments combine to provide each student with learning strategies to build student success. Assignments require students to apply academic strategies to other courses.
Introduction to Critical Inquiry (HUM 101, 3 credits)
This class fosters the characteristics of successful academic pursuit: openness, curiosity, creativity, persistence, and metacognition. In the context of a common reader and the students’ own academic and career goals, students will practice critical thought, information assimilation, investigation, discussion, analysis, collaboration, and qualitative and quantitative analysis as they develop the habits of mind and cultural literacy necessary for college and global citizenship.

New Student Orientation RSVP