Admitted students

First-year experience 

As a new Stark State College student, your first-year experience begins with participating in our New Student Orientation. And throughout your first year of college, we offer a range of academic, career and social support, both inside and outside the classroom, to help you reach your academic and career goals. 

Career communities 

Our 10 Career Communities group related occupations to help you find options that match your interests, skills, goals and career plans. 

Whether you have your sights set on a specific career pathway or are exploring your options, Career Communities offer a better way to find your career calling among the more than 200 degrees and certificates available at Stark State.

New Student Orientation (NSO) 

New Student Orientation (NSO) provides foundational information about Stark State’s unique campus policies, programs, systems and services. Our goal is to welcome you to Stark State, answer any questions you may have and help you have a successful experience at our College.  

If you’re earning a degree or certificate at Stark State, you’ll complete NSO before your first class. Already have a degree from another college or university? We still encourage you to complete NSO to become familiar with Stark State. Once admitted to the College, you will receive more information on how to register and complete NSO. 

New student advising  

As you start your educational journey at Stark State, you’ll meet with a Gateway advisor who’ll help you establish your career objectives and choose the right courses for you to accomplish your goals. Your Gateway advisor will support you through your first 15 college-level credit hours. After that, your Gateway advisor helps you transition to a faculty advisor who ensures you take the courses you need to stay on your pathway to success. 

Jump Start 

Jump Start is here to help you make a successful transition into your first year at Stark State. Faculty, staff, administrators and current students will be on hand to help you establish the foundation for your future success. We’ll build upon what you learned during NSO and highlight what’s expected as a Stark State student, how to be successful and where to find key resources. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet other new students.

First-year seminar course (SSC101) 

Gain the skills you need for academic success at Stark State. Topics for this course include learning styles, critical thinking, time management, studying and test-taking techniques, communication skills and a variety of personal development strategies. You will also learn how to access and use College resources such as mySSC. We recommend that you take SSC101 within your first 15 credit hours. 

Welcome and engagement  

As a new student, we want you to enjoy your college experience both inside and out of the classroom.  Enjoy Welcome Week during the first week of classes, join one of Stark State’s 50 different student clubs or participate in the Student Leadership Academy. 

Student success workshops 

These workshops are offered both fall and spring semesters and are designed to help you with school and life beyond Stark State. Topics range from: 

• How to be an effective student. 
• Ways to manage stress and anxiety. 
• Getting involved in student life. 
• How to select a research topic. 
• And more.