FOCUS Program Helps New Students Transition to Life at Fisher

In its first year, the FOCUS (First-Year Outreach to Community and University Service) Program supports first-year students' transition to college while giving them the chance to build community, discover their own strengths, and partner with others in service.

Just before the start of Orientation, 20 first-year students arrived on campus to move into their residence halls early, dedicating their first days at Fisher to immersing themselves in the values of the University. The three-day FOCUS Program included serving the Rochester community, small and large group discussion and reflection, sharing meals, and late-night games. 

Buffalo native Mia Harding chose Fisher because she loved the community and how welcoming the University is, so when the opportunity arose to get to campus early, she jumped on it. 

“I wanted to come because I wanted to meet new people and explore campus, get my feet in the water a little bit before everybody came,” said Harding. “This program allows you to get to know a lot of people, and to experience campus and what it has to offer to you. I think that's really important when coming in and not being a part of the area.”

Like Harding, Rochesterian Emily Clark was interested in the opportunity to build community before Orientation even started. She found that identifying her strengths and how she can apply them will aid her in future leadership opportunities at the University. She also learned more about Fisher’s core values which helped her see how she can contribute to them. 

Clark recommended the FOCUS program to future first-year students because it brings them outside their comfort zone, helps them get accustomed to using resources, and teaches them more about the community and what is around Fisher. 

“Everyone is so welcoming in Campus Ministry, and it was just good to get out in the community and really see what else is in the Rochester area,” she said.

Director of Campus Ministry Programs Jonathan Schott ’02 said the program achieved its goal of helping students assimilate to campus. “We all bring our own strengths, identities, worries, and aspirations—our full selves— to Fisher as a member of this community, and our Basilian heritage teaches us that each person their full self belongs here. FOCUS is a program where students can explore this, as a part of their transformative educational experience—-even before ‘day one.’”

Rising sophomore Jack Hinchcliffe who served as a student leader for the program, quickly witnessed the program benefiting the first-year students’ growth just two days in. 

“I definitely feel like this program has brought a lot of people out of their shell. At first, many of them seemed a little reserved and to themselves, but now I notice everyone's found their friends,” he shared. “They're starting to feel comfortable around the campus, which is really nice to hear, because that's ultimately what we were trying to do with this program.”