This fall, the Office of Campus Ministry, in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, the Center for Career and Academic Planning, and the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, will launch the FOCUS Program, a pre-orientation program for incoming first-year students.
Taking place September 2-5, 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. FOCUS is open to all incoming first-year students. A limited number of openings are available for applicants.
The three-day experience is dedicated to exploring Fisher’s mission and Basilian heritage, understanding Fisher’s commitment to service, and beginning to develop students’ potential as purposeful leaders.
The program will serve as an initial exploration into pre-orientation program options and offerings at Fisher.
“Our commitment to transforming lives through goodness, discipline, and knowledge begins even before our first-year students set foot in a classroom. FOCUS is an opportunity for interested students to learn about our heritage and mission, to begin to understand what strengths they are bringing to campus on day one, and applying themselves to our commitment to serving one another—all fundamental components of our Basilian identity,” said Jonathan Schott ’02, director of campus ministry programs. “My hope is that eventually, any first-year student will have the opportunity to explore a pre-orientation experience that best suits their interests and kickstarts their journey of purpose and meaning as a part of the St. John Fisher University community.”
Campus Ministry to Host Pre-Orientation Program2026-07-09T08:30:00-04:00This fall, the Office of Campus Ministry, in collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, the Center for Career and Academic Planning, and the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, will launch the FOCUS Program, a pre-orientation program for incoming first-year students. Taking place September 2-5, 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. FOCUS is open to all incoming first-year students. A limited number of openings are available for applicants.
The three-day experience is dedicated to exploring Fisher’s mission and Basilian heritage, understanding Fisher’s commitment to service, and beginning to develop students’ potential as purposeful leaders.
The program will serve as an initial exploration into pre-orientation program options and offerings at Fisher.
“Our commitment to transforming lives through goodness, discipline, and knowledge begins even before our first-year students set foot in a classroom. FOCUS is an opportunity for interested students to learn about our heritage and mission, to begin to understand what strengths they are bringing to campus on day one, and applying themselves to our commitment to serving one another—all fundamental components of our Basilian identity,” said Jonathan Schott ’02, director of campus ministry programs. “My hope is that eventually, any first-year student will have the opportunity to explore a pre-orientation experience that best suits their interests and kickstarts their journey of purpose and meaning as a part of the St. John Fisher University community.”
To learn more or apply for FOCUS, visit the ./media/news-images/summer-2026/FOCUS-Group_960.jpg
