Smooth Transitions

Smooth Transitions is a pre-orientation and year-long mentoring program designed to support first-generation and students of color as they engage in academic pursuits and co-curricular experiences at Xavier University. The pre-orientation component offers a holistic view of the Xavier experience through an intense focus on academic preparation and culturally restorative development opportunities that build social and institutional capital, self-awareness, and cultural competence. The year-long engagement continues the academic preparation through a cohort experience in the GOA course and monthly Skills Development Labs, as well as offering peer-to-peer mentorship. 

First Steps is a Bridge Program within the Smooth Transitions pre-orientation and year-long mentoring program designed to provide high-level support to first-generation and students of color as they engage in academic pursuits and co-curricular experiences at Xavier University. In addition to the pre-orientation component, the year-long engagement for First Steps students begins the academic preparation with a summer 3-credit online course and continues throughout the academic year with a cohort experience with an assigned Faculty Mentor, targeted GOA class, and required monthly Skills Development Labs, as well as offering peer-to-peer mentorship. All of which will empower students with academic habits, purpose, and hone the skills necessary to transition to college-level work. 

Application information:

Information will be shared when the application becomes available.

Smooth Fall 2024 Pre-Orientation:

To be announced.

If you have any questions about Smooth Transitions, questions about accessibility or requesting accommodations, please contact Diamond Brown.