Welcome Week Schedule
Arrival time
New incoming students and their families should plan to arrive at North Central for check-in on August 22. Check-in will take place in the Trask Word and Worship Center in the Atrium.
Park in the lots across from the Trask Word and Worship Center when you arrive. If you or your student is moving in, you will be directed to move your car to the appropriate building after check-in is complete.
If your family has extenuating circumstances that would merit missing check-in, please contact our One Stop team at onestop@northcentral.edu with this information.
Welcome Week Schedule 2026
(Subject to change)
⭐ Required for all new students
🏠 Required for residential students
💼 Required for students seeking on-campus employment (must attend one)
☀️ Social & community event
| Saturday, August 22 | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | New Student Check-In |
| Sign up for a check-in time (9:00 AM – 11:30 AM) | |
| 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Lunch for New Students & Families |
| 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Unpack, Settle In & Explore Campus |
| 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Men’s & Women’s Alumni Soccer Game |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Commuter Check-In |
| 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Women’s Volleyball vs. Staff & Faculty |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Commuter Connections Campus Tour |
| 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Commuter Dinner |
| 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | ⭐ President’s Welcome & Worship |
| 7:30 PM | ⭐ Class Photo & Group Connection |
| Wear your new NCU t-shirt | |
| 7:30 PM – 7:45 PM | Parent Session |
| 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM | Parent & Student Reception |
| 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM | 🏠 Floor Meeting (Residence Hall Students) |
| Sunday, August 23 | |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Sunday Morning Service with President Williams |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Family Farewell |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM | ⭐ Welcome Week Kickoff (Residence Life & Campus Safety) |
| 2:15 PM – 5:00 PM | ⭐ Downtown Walk with Residence Life Leaders |
| 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | ☀️ Dinner with RA/DL |
| 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | ⭐ NCU Culture |
| 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | ⭐ Student Panel |
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | ☀️ Student Organization Fair |
| 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM | ☀️ Patio Party |
| Monday, August 24 | Online classes begin |
| 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | ⭐ Academics Day at Minnehaha Falls |
| Meet in Lindquist Sanctuary at 9:00 AM for itinerary and travel details. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for a day of learning, community-building, and outdoor activities. | |
| 4:00 PM | Return to Campus |
| 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | ☀️ Dinner with RA/DL |
| 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | ☀️ Free Time with RA/DL |
| 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM | ☀️ Funky Night |
| Tuesday, August 25 | |
| 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | ⭐ Welcome Week Recap & Devotions with Pastor Joshua Edmon |
| 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | ☀️ Coffee Social |
| 9:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Campus Resources & Support Options (Canvas, advising, registration, dietary needs, etc.) |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch with RA/DL |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | ☀️ Ice Cream Social & Library Tour |
| 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | 💼 Student Worker Orientation (Session 1) |
| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Target Shuttles, Classroom Tours & Free Time |
| 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | ☀️ Block Party |
| Wednesday, August 26 | On-campus classes begin |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Campus Resources & Support Options |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | FYE Course |
| 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | 💼 Student Worker Orientation (Session 2) |
| 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Praise Gathering |
| Thursday, August 27 | |
| 10:50 AM – 11:40 AM | 🏠 Academic Convocation |
| 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM | 🏠 Community Floor Meeting (Residence Halls & Apartments) |
Welcome to campus! We’re excited to begin the year together.