Dear Families & Friends of the Class of 2026,
Greetings from Middletown! My name is Shelissa Newball, and I am the new Class Dean for the Class of 2026. Wesleyan holds a special place in my heart, as I am a proud Alum (Class of 2005). After graduating from Wesleyan, I worked at various institutions, including The Pennsylvania State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, and the University of New Haven. In 2017, I had the opportunity to come back to Wes where I worked in the Office of Student Involvement and most recently in the Office of Advancement. I am so excited to partner with you and your student(s) in this role and am looking forward to a productive and enriching year!
Sophomore year is an exciting time, your students have spent time exploring the things that interest them and things that they are passionate about, now it is time for them to translate that into a major! Although selecting a major may seem like a daunting task, I want to assure you that we are here to support your students. They have received a plethora of information about the major selection process, all of this information has come through email, please encourage them to read their emails to ensure they are meeting important deadlines. Also encourage them to set up meetings with their faculty advisors, talk to departments about the requirements to declare a major, or even set up a meeting with me to talk through the selection process.
Your student(s) may have mentioned their interest in studying abroad during their junior year. If they are interested in fall 2024, they should start having conversations with the Study Abroad office, as some applications are due in early February. More information about the various programs and deadlines can be found on the Study Abroad website. Students who are currently abroad or on leave will be selecting their spring housing assignment through the new Residential Life software. If this applies to your student(s) they will get specific instructions via email.
Also, please note, the last day of classes is December 8, followed by reading period from December 9 – December 12. Final exams run from December 12-16 and housing closes for the fall semester on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at 12 noon, EST. Housing reopens for all students on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 10am, EST. Students who need to remain on campus during the break, must apply by November 16, 2023. Please note, housing is not guaranteed. More information can be found on the ResLife website.
I am really looking forward to getting to know the students in the Class of 2026. Please encourage your student(s) to reach out if they have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Shelissa Newball
Dean for the Class of 2026
860-685-2764