Fall 2021 Parent and Family Orientation

Red and orange tulips with Healy Hall in the background.

Welcome to the Hilltop!

The Hoya community is very excited to welcome your family to Georgetown. As parents and family members of new Hoyas, you play an integral role in supporting their transition to college. Through various speakers and interest sessions, PFO is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, connections, and resources to help support your Georgetown student.

Fall 2021 Parent and Family Orientation (PFO) took place virtually, on Zoom, on Monday, August 16, 2021, from 3:00pm – 7:00pm EDT. A recording of each session will be recorded and posted on this page within one week after PFO concludes, and they will remain on this page for the remainder of the Fall 2021 semester.

PFO Help Desk

During PFO, a virtual help desk will be available to parents and families. The Orientation staff will be available to assist with questions or concerns, and can help direct you to session. The Help Desk link will be made available on August 16, and it will be open from 2:00pm-7:00pm EDT.

Fall 2021 PFO Schedule

Monday, August 16, 2021

3:00pm-3:50pm EDT | Parent and Family Orientation Welcome Session

Parent and Family Orientation Welcome Session
Receive a warm welcome and hear about the student experience at Georgetown from key campus leaders. This session is led by Dr. Jeanne Lord, who serves as interim Vice President for Student Affairs at Georgetown University. Please click here to view the recording.

4:00pm-4:50pm EDT | Deans’ Welcome Sessions for Parents & Families

Georgetown College Dean’s Office Welcome: A Conversation with Parents and Families
Parents and families are invited to attend a welcome session that will demystify your student’s first-year academic experience at Georgetown and offer guidance on how best to support your students as they begin their intellectual journey at Georgetown.

McDonough School of Business Parents and Families Webinar
Parents and families of new students are invited to a webinar to hear about the McDonough Undergraduate Program from Dean Paul Almeida, Senior Associate Dean Patricia Grant, the Director of the McDonough Undergraduate Career Development Center, and the Faculty Director of the Undergraduate Curriculum. There will be an opportunity for attendees to send in questions for the panelists to answer. Please click here to view the recording.

School of Foreign Service Parent and Family Virtual Welcome
Dean Joel Hellman will welcome SFS parents and families of new students. You will meet some of the people in the SFS who will play an important role in your student’s SFS journey, including current students. Participants will share their insights on the SFS experience with all in attendance. Please click here to view the recording.

School of Nursing & Health Studies Dean’s Welcome Reception for Parents and Families
New NHS parents and families are invited to our virtual welcome session hosted by Dean Carole Gresenz along with NHS faculty and Academic Affairs staff.

5:00pm-7:00pm EDT | PFO Interest Sessions

Parent and Family Orientation interest sessions are designed to cover a variety of important topics regarding student life at Georgetown University. Interest sessions are divided into three 30-minute blocks, and parents and families are encouraged to attend the sessions most important to them. Sessions cover a wide range of topics, including campus ministries, student conduct and safety, financial aid, and many more. Please scroll down to see the full list of interest sessions, including session titles, descriptions, and Zoom links.

Block 1 (5:00pm-5:30pm EDT)

Block 1 Sessions (5:00pm-5:30pm EDT)
Session TitleDescriptionZoom Link
10 Ways the Library Can Help Your Hoya Succeed at GeorgetownGeorgetown University Library is a vital partner in students’ success—with information Hoyas need today and experiences that will change them forever.
Learn how our unparalleled library collections, expert guidance, innovative spaces and skills-based workshops help foster student success.
This session has concluded
Intro to Career Development at GeorgetownThe Cawley Career Education Center provides career services designed to help your student through every step of the career development process. In this session, you will meet members of the career center and learn about our specialized services including career counseling, industry advising, pre-law consultations, on-campus interviewing with employers, internship and job postings, alumni networking events, and more.Click here to view the recording
Evening Coffee with the ARC DirectorMeet casually with Dr. Joseph P. Fisher, Executive Director of the Academic Resource Center. Joe will offer an overview of the ARC’s resources and can answer general questions about how the office works with students. Coffee not required, but definitely welcomed.Click here to view the recording
Student Conduct and Student SafetyStaff from the Office of Student Conduct and Georgetown University Police Department will be available to answer any questions you may have about student safety and student conduct policies.This session has concluded
Office of Student Equity & Inclusion Welcome SessionOSEI welcomes all parents and family members of Georgetown students to a brief session to learn more about the support services and resources our offices offer. OSEI’s offices include the LGBTQ Resource Center, the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access, the Women’s Center, the Community Scholar’s Program, and the Georgetown Scholars Program.Click here to view the recording
Student Engagement at Georgetown UniversityJoin the Center for Student Engagement to learn more about ways students can become and stay engaged at Georgetown!Click here to view the recording
Living on Campus at GeorgetownJoin us to learn all about living on campus at Georgetown. The session will cover the services provided by Residential Education and Residential Services in creating safe, vibrant living communities here on the Hilltop including community engagement and how our teams support on campus students.Click here to view the recording
Common $enseThis presentation will demystify the financial aid process at Georgetown University and show you where critical information may be found on our websites.Click here to view the recording
Club Sports and Outdoor Education – Engagement OpportunitiesExercise and being outdoors is good for the mind, body, and soul. Stop by to learn about the various Club Sport and Outdoor Education programs here at Georgetown.Click here to view the recording
Ayuda Financiera en GeorgetownLo que debes saber de la Ayuda Financiera en Georgetown. El proceso, aplicaciones y servicios que ofrece el departamento de ayuda financiera para estudiantes.Haga clic aquí para ver una grabación de esta sesión

Block 2 (5:45pm-6:15pm EDT)

Block 2 Sessions (5:45pm-6:15pm EDT)
Session TitleDescriptionZoom Link
COVID-19 Public Health Considerations at GUJoin Dr. Ranit Mishori, Chief Public Health Officer at Georgetown University, for an overview of public health measures and considerations in place for the Fall 2021 semester.Click here to view the recording
Engaging DC and Beyond in Social JusticeJoin the leadership of the Center for Social Justice for a conversation on how students get engaged beyond the Hilltop, across the country and around the world, and enact the University’s mission for the common good through CSJ’s EngageDCorps programs, Alternative Breaks, community-based learning, research opportunities, weekly tutoring, and mentoring commitments and more.This session has concluded
Common $enseThis presentation will demystify the financial aid process at Georgetown University and show you where critical information may be found on our websites.Click here to view the recording
More Than Recreation: Campus Recreation at GeorgetownJoin Campus Recreation for an opportunity to learn more about in person recreation resources for the Fall 2021 semester.This session has concluded
Student Conduct and Student SafetyStaff from the Office of Student Conduct and Georgetown University Police Department will be available to answer any questions you may have about student safety and student conduct policies.This session has concluded
Student Engagement at Georgetown UniversityJoin the Center for Student Engagement to learn more about ways students can become and stay engaged at Georgetown!Click here to view the recording
Introduction to the Student Health Center and Medical Care on CampusThe session is designed to introduce families to The GU Student Health Center and provide an understanding of the health services we offer. We will be able to answer questions regarding medical care and best practices for students, parents, and families.Click here to access this session
Living on Campus at Georgetown
Join us to learn all about living on campus at Georgetown. The session will cover the services provided by Residential Education and Residential Services in creating safe, vibrant living communities here on the Hilltop including community engagement and how our teams support on campus students.This session has concluded
Catholic Life at GeorgetownCatholic Ministry focuses its mission on encouraging members of the Catholic community to grow in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Join Fr. Greg Schenden, SJ and Catholic Ministry staff to find out more about our spiritual, liturgical, educational, and social activities for students, including retreats, choirs, RCIA Confirmation, social justice programs, and much more.Click here to view the recording
Dharmic Life at GeorgetownDharmic Life accompanies students with roots or interest in Hindu (Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, Sākta, Smārta, Sanātana, and other First People’s Dharmas), Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain traditions. Join Brahmachari Sharan to find out more about the spiritual and social activities for students, including retreats, and much more.Click here to view the recording
Muslim Life at GeorgetownMuslim Life is focused on providing educational opportunities and spiritual support for the Muslim campus community including but not limited to Friday Jum’ah services, Qiyam al-Layl, Iftars, weekly halavah and Our’an study, and off-campus retreats. Join Imam Yahya Hendi to find out more about Muslim Life at Georgetown.Click here to view the recording

Block 3 (6:30pm-7:00pm EDT)

Block 3 Sessions (6:30pm-7:00pm EDT)
Session TitleDescriptionZoom Link
COVID-19 Public Health Considerations at GUJoin Dr. Ranit Mishori, Chief Public Health Officer at Georgetown University, for an overview of public health measures and considerations in place for the Fall 2021 semester.Click here to view the recording
Engaging DC and Beyond in Social JusticeJoin the leadership of the Center for Social Justice for a conversation on how students get engaged beyond the Hilltop, across the country and around the world, and enact the University’s mission for the common good through CSJ’s EngageDCorps programs, Alternative Breaks, community-based learning, research opportunities, weekly tutoring, and mentoring commitments and more.This session has concluded
Introduction to the Student Health Center and Medical Care on CampusThe session is designed to introduce families to The GU Student Health Center and provide an understanding of the health services we offer. We will be able to answer questions regarding medical care and best practices for students, parents, and families.This session has concluded
Student Conduct and Student SafetyStaff from the Office of Student Conduct and Georgetown University Police Department will be available to answer any questions you may have about student safety and student conduct policies.This session has concluded
Common $enseThis presentation will demystify the financial aid process at Georgetown University and show you where critical information may be found on our websites.Click here to view the recording
Club Sports and Outdoor Education – Engagement OpportunitiesExercise and being outdoors is good for the mind, body, and soul. Stop by to learn about the various Club Sport and Outdoor Education programs here at Georgetown.Click here to view the recording
Orthodox Christian Life at GeorgetownOrthodox Christian Life serves students of all Eastern Orthodox backgrounds. As liturgical life is central to the Church, weekly vespers services are offered along with other chaplaincy events including: discussion groups, social events, retreats and charity work. Join V. Rev. David Pratt to find out more about Orthodox Christian Life at Georgetown.Click here to view the recording
Jewish Life at GeorgetownJewish Life at Georgetown fosters a robust and diverse Jewish community on campus. Our weekly Shabbat program is the spiritual heartbeat of our community. Join Rabbi Rachel Gartner to find out more about religious services, cultural programming, informal Jewish education and service projects.Click here to view the recording
Protestant Christian Ministries at GeorgetownProtestant Christian Ministries, along with its affiliated and associated ministries services a diverse Christian community, honoring the religious traditions of its members while affirming their oneness in Christ. Join Rev. Ebony Grisom to find out more about Sunday worship on campus, bible studies, prayer groups, fellowship groups, service projects and retreats.Click here to view the recording