Welcome to Wake Forest University, and congratulations on beginning this new chapter!  I am delighted to have you among us as our newest Demon Deacons. New Deac 101 is mandatory for both our new and transfer students. 

Your orientation experience “New Deac 101” will be completed via asynchronous sessions available through Canvas and taken in two parts: 

• Module I: “New to the Forest” (due Monday, August 15th)

• Module II: “Fall in the Forest” Extended Orientation (due Monday, September 26th)

For our first-year students, you will be asked to complete Module I and II.  For our transfer students, you will be asked to complete Module I, II and an additional session by our Office of Personal and Career Development.  

NEW DEAC 101: “New to the Forest” (available Monday, July 11th)

For the first module “New to the Forest,” you will have the opportunity to hear from various university departments such as the Office of Wellbeing, the Office of Personal and Career Development, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, just to name a few. You should work through the materials on your own and complete the various quizzes and assignments no later than Monday, August 15th.

FALL IN THE FOREST/ EXTENDED ORIENTATION: (available Monday, August 29th)

New Deacs cannot learn everything about what it takes to have a successful college experience in a few days before the semester even starts.  Therefore, new and transfer student orientation programming continues through the fall via CANVAS.  

On Monday, August 29th, you will gain access to a second module (Extended Orientation) which will include three sessions: 

• CHECK-IN #1. Step Up: Becoming an Active Bystander. Step Up: Becoming an Active Bystander. Demon Deacons care for each other! This session will teach students about the variety of situations they may encounter both on a college campus and virtually. It will provide ways for students to intervene safely while considering how their own identities impact their ability to do so. In addition, this session will instill a sense of responsibility for students to work towards a culture of care for all members of the WFU community and beyond.     

• CHECK-IN #2. Academic Success: Wake Forest recognizes that the transition to college goes beyond Orientation. As part of your extended orientation to campus, you will complete a module that guides you through the many campus resources available to you, all of which are designed to promote and support academic success. After you complete this module, you will take a brief assessment to gauge your understanding of the student support services available to you. The following week, you will meet with your Student Adviser to discuss the experience and how to make the most of these resources.  

• CHECK-IN #3. The Power of (a) Handshake: Through the Office of Personal & Career Development (OPCD), you have access to one of the most powerful career tools - Handshake. Fellow students will walk you through setting up your profile in order to open the door to career support at Wake Forest as well as gain access to thousands of internships and jobs.

Students are asked to complete the online EXTENDED ORIENTATION module in CANVAS no later than MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th. Completion of this material is REQUIRED. 

As a reminder, all of the messages that we send students throughout the summer can be found here. 

Please be sure that you continue to check your WFU email, review Forestry 101, and the New Students website often throughout the summer to ensure that you are not missing important deadlines and details.

We know that many of you have connected with us via social media. If you have not yet done so, be sure to follow @WFUOrientation on Twitter. @WFUStudentAdvising and @WFUTransfers on Instagram are other great resources; members of the Student Advising Leadership Council are sharing great advice and are happy to answer any questions you may have! If you are an incoming transfer student, please feel free to communicate with us via email at wfutr@wfu.edu.  

Questions regarding Pre-Orientation or New Deac 101 can be directed to orientation@wfu.edu.  

Best,


​​​Cherise James, Ph.D. 
She | Her | Hers
Director of Orientation, New Student and Transitions Programs