Brian Jones, Features Editor

Each Summer, an eager class of incoming Vikings begin a new chapter of their lives, nervously awaiting what comes next. Anticipation floods the hometowns and cities of Berry’s incoming class. Behind the scenes, there is a group of student leaders and faculty that are determined to make Berry a welcoming environment for new students.

In June, Berry welcomed the class of 2030 onto campus for Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR), an overnight experience. During this time, incoming freshmen eased into the college experience with the help of leaders, faculty and staff. 

SOAR is an important milestone for the Berry Journey: a program introduced in 2024 with the vision of a more intentional college experience. Occurring in the “Launch” phase, students embarked on an exciting, first dive into
campus life.

Senior Kate Jackson, director of new student orientation, highlighted the importance of SOAR within the freshman year experience, stating that SOAR is the next major step after introductory Berry events.

“[Students are] meeting people, making new friends and getting involved in the Berry culture and community,” Jackson said. “SOAR is a huge part of that because once they’ve gone through tours and admissions events, they then come to SOAR to finally commit.”

Throughout SOAR’s history, changes have been made year after year, but there is one thread that connects all modifications of SOAR: connection
and community.

Lindsay Norman, associate dean of students, has contributed to SOAR since she started as a professional staff member at Berry in 2015. Norman later became a direct manager of SOAR in the fall of 2024. Reflecting on her time as SOAR faculty, Norman recalled a critical moment for the program, highlighting the programs fast pivot during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “I think COVID was a pretty big thing to think about at that time,” Norman said. “Quickly moving to an online format and then, deciding what SOAR might look like after COVID and whether we would go back to do an overnight portion, which we did. I think that’s the biggest change.” 

Jackson said that during her freshman year, the advising process was held in one classroom, with each SOAR group all meeting with one advisor. 

“This year, a bunch of advisors were brought in so that each student gets their own personal advising session.” Jackson Said. “Before, it used to be a huge classroom of students.”

Senior SOAR leader Tarian Askew has been in the position for two years. Askew spoke of the anxiousness he felt when he was in the same shoes as this year’s freshmen. 

“I actually remember being really nervous to do SOAR,” Askew Said. “It was such a major change transitioning to College for the first time.” 

Askew later noted how his nerves were eased. 

“I remember feeling so welcomed and able to express myself,” Askew Said, “That was a very big moment because I could be openly myself.”

He later turned that comfort into direction as he gained the inspiration to become a SOAR leader. Askew shared that he wanted to step into the position because it allowed him to be the role model that his leaders were to him.

“It always felt like a big role to be that first face that new students get to see and become normalized with,” Askew said. “The biggest motivator was helping the freshman get accustomed, even if it’s just a little glimpse into life at Berry.” 

Junior Caroline Powell served as the Operations and Logistics manager. During SOAR, she coordinated and planned with other campus partners such as the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) and Student Affairs. She shared a similar experience with Askew in terms of her delight in the job. 

“I developed amazing connections, and every time I see a lot of my SOAR students around campus, they say hi to me, and I say hi to them,” Powell said. “I keep up with some of them as well. That was huge—being able to give these incoming students the same experience that I was able to give when I was a freshman.”  

Incoming Freshman and recent SOAR student Brizeda Cortez highlighted what made the 2026 SOAR experience memorable for her. While at SOAR, Cortez found keen appreciation in the event’s overnight portion.

“I really enjoyed SOAR because it gave me a unique opportunity to see what it’s like being away from home.” Cortez said. “It definitely gave me that insight of what the college experience would be like. I did dual enrollment classes in high school, but living on campus and being around people your age is very different.”

Cortez then shared why SOAR was special to her, and why the experience was crucial to her first-year experience. 

“What made SOAR memorable for me was just being able to make friends, because I feel like that’s another problem.” Cortez said. “For me specifically, I’m a very bubbly person, but at the same time, I still have anxiety if I don’t know someone there with me.”

Cortez concluded that the increased SOAR provided created long-lasting friendships. 

 “I have been able to keep contact with people, who, could be lifelong friends of mine.” Cortez said. “They’ve helped me through this journey, and I’ve helped them.” 

Christian Wells, Dean of Students, recently stepped into the managerial role of overseeing new student and family orientation, this summer being her first SOAR. 

“It was a really great experience,” Wells said. “I love the fact that SOAR was an opportunity to really connect and interact with students and parents.”

Wells then expressed her gratitude for the SOAR leaders and student directors. 

“They had a lot of knowledge being that I just started at Berry,” Wells said. “It was really comforting to know that I had a great group of SOAR leaders who were able to help guide and answer any questions that the students and parents had.”

Wells said that SOAR’s presenters added a new level of belonging to the experience. She said Berry’s resources make the whole process smoother.

“The fact that [the presenters] were able to take time and answer questions and really get students and families connected and about the resources that we have available on campus,” Wells said. “It’s a very collaborative event. I also really love how [the SOAR team] worked together with our dining services and facilities.”

SOAR is a defining force of the freshman experience, and a lot of that comes from its unique nature compared to other schools. Norman said that SOAR’s uniqueness lies in the program’s increased time allocated to socializing and peer connection.

“One of the biggest differences is that there is significantly more social time getting to know peers compared to other schools,” Norman said.

Speaking on Berry’s strength as a college, Wells shared her thoughts on what makes SOAR so special.

“Berry has a unique culture of really getting to know you individually, really getting to know your family, wanting to connect immediately and not just saying it but genuinely meaning it,” Wells said. “I can tell that that’s the reason why we have the amount of students that want to attend.”

Interwoven through many years of freshman orientation at Berry, one connecting thread remains the same: connection. “You start to realize, ‘oh, I’m not just a number’,” Jackson said. “These people will know your name by the time you graduate. Like all of them. Yes, we’re small, but that’s what’s beautiful about it.”