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The Doheny Campus was abuzz with activity for several days in June with nearly 500 students congregating around the plaza, lawn, auditorium and everywhere in between. Did summer class enrollment suddenly explode?

No, June 22-23 highlighted a new format, Athenian Experience, for incoming students. “We hope that these two days create an added feeling of excitement and anticipation about coming to the Mount,” says Linda McMurdock, PhD, vice president of student affairs. “The goal of the pre-orientation Athenian Experience is to provide incoming students with an opportunity to get a taste of what it is like to be a student here through the connections they make with current student leaders, faculty and staff, who all play a role in their success. We look forward to welcoming the new Athenians in the fall semester.” 

When asked about why they chose the Mount, the students reiterated several themes that our community works hard to provide: a vibrant campus life, a focus on women’s leadership and empowerment, strong resources and student support; small classes and a tight-knit, family atmosphere, an impressive reputation and great financial support. According to what these students are saying, we are getting our message across. And it does not hurt that we have two beautiful campuses, which several also mentioned.

Mia Ravelo chose the Mount for its outstanding nursing program. “I’m very excited to start,” she said. “I’ve met people today, and everyone is super nice. I can’t wait to keep going with this experience.”

Audrey Vargas is excited at the thought of living on campus and broadening her horizons. She plans to study criminology. Vargas and transfer student Katherine Bonilla, a sociology major, are two of four students receiving scholarships through the Marymount Education Foundation; the Mount is the foundation’s first university partner for its new Marymount Scholars Program.

Organized by Women’s Leadership and Student Engagement, Athenian Experience kicked off with Mount traditions and shared information on various clubs and organizations, painting a picture of the campus life that awaited the newcomers. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions on any topic. Typical first-year questions included how to meet people, were there parties on campus, and what do people do off campus.

Nearly all academic and student-oriented programs participated in the fair, including health services, sports and wellness, campus ministry, campus safety, student employment, TRIO (federal student services programs), equity, diversity and justice programs, student engagement, alumnae relations and library services.

Overlapping the fair was a student panel in Rose Hills Auditorium, where incoming students heard from and asked questions of student orientations leaders Aniya Beacham, Erika Coreas, Aliia Donald, Lalibela Faraba, Crystal Garcia, Emily Hellstrom, Sloane Jacobs and Lady Jones.

“It’s been nice to experience, a couple of months before starting classes, what campus life will look like in the future,” says Ariana Manzo, who plans to study nursing. “I feel more comfortable now that I’m more familiar with the campus and the different organizations and services available to students.”