Family Orientations
Family Orientations
The Center for Student Leadership & Engagement is responsible for coordinating the parent, family, and supporter components of New Student Orientation as well as a variety of other family programs including Fall Family Weekend. New Student Orientation opened up for students on April 15, 2026. In order to complement their experience, we will be offering a Parent and Family Orientation Experience in a hybrid format consisting of online elements and our optional in-person experience, called Ready, Set, Roar! over the summer.
Parent & Family Tiger Talks – Summer 2026
As part of this year’s Family Orientation, we will be offering several live Zoom Webinars known as Tiger Talks throughout the summer. Tiger Talks provide an opportunity for parents and family members to hear directly from campus experts, student services staff members, and student leaders.
Tiger Talk Topics and dates for Summer 2026 can be found below:
-
Tiger Talk: Orientation & Advising Overview
Wednesday, May 13 – 5 p.m.
Staff members from the divisions of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Undergraduate Learning will provide an overview of this summer’s New Student & Family Orientation process and share the various ways new students and families can connect with Clemson before the start of the semester. Academic advisers will also provide an overview of the academic advising and course registration process for new students.
Register for Orientation & Advising Overview -
Tiger Talk: Calling Clemson Home
Wednesday, May 27 – 5 p.m.
This session will feature campus experts whose work centers around helping your first-year or transfer student transition into Clemson successfully and adjust to life on campus. Panelists include representatives from University Housing & Dining, Parking & Transportation Services, and Office of Advocacy and Success.
Register for Calling Clemson Home -
Tiger Talk: Transfer Student Success & First-Generation Families
Tuesday, June 2 – 5 p.m.
No student is the same, and neither is their journey to Clemson! Join this session to learn tips, tricks, and strategies for transitioning to Clemson as a transfer student, a first-generation student, or both! Staff members from Transfer Programs and current transfer student leaders offer academic resources, discuss relevant transfer-credit policies, and share perspectives around how to be successful. Student Affairs staff members speak to the support in store for first-generation Tigers and their families.
Register for Transfer Student Success & First-Generation Families -
Tiger Talk: Well-Being at Clemson
Wednesday, June 10 – 5 p.m.
This session will feature campus experts whose work centers around helping your first-year or transfer student identify the people, places, and professionals on campus who support their physical, mental, and emotional health. Panelists include representatives from Student Health Services, the Office of Advocacy and Success, and the University Ombuds Office.
Register for Well-Being at Clemson -
Tiger Talk: Financial Aid & Student Billing Overview
Thursday, June 11 – 5 p.m.
Join our Financial Aid and University Bill Pay Orientation Session hosted by Student Financial Aid and Student Financial Services as part of 2026 New Student & Family Orientation. Learn essential info around financial aid and student bill payment options. Register to join us for our live session, or feel free to watch the recorded version once it's uploaded to the Financial Aid website.
Register for Financial Aid & Student Billing Overview
-
Tiger Talk: Supporting Military-Connected Students
Wednesday, June 17 – 5 p.m.
Service members, veterans, military family members, and ROTC cadets bring unique experiences, leadership skills, and a strong sense of commitment to Clemson University. This session offers information about how Clemson supports this community in their transition to life as Clemson students. Staff members from the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement explain resources like VA Benefits, the M&VE Resource Center, and more, that are available for Student Veterans and military-connected students.
Register for Supporting Military-Connected Students - Tiger Talk: Navigating Student Life at Clemson
-
Tiger Talk: Preparing for Family Weekend
Wednesday, July 8 – 6 p.m.
Join this session to learn more about Clemson’s upcoming Fall Family Weekend. Anchored by our Family Weekend Football Game on September 19, this year’s Fall Family Weekend will take place on September 18-20, 2026, and registration will open on July 15. Staff members from the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement will provide an overview of the Family Weekend schedule and offer ways to best prepare for Family Weekend Registration.
Register for Preparing for Family Weekend -
Tiger Talk: Family to Family Panel
Wednesday, July 29 – 6 p.m.
Members of the Clemson Family Ambassador Board will share their experiences as parents and guardians of current Clemson students. Presenters will share advice and tips, as well as important resources available to you as Clemson families. Their shared experiences can offer a road map as you continue to support your student’s Clemson experience.
Register for Family to Family Panel -
Tiger Talk: Next Steps for Success
Wednesday, August 5 – 5 p.m.
As we begin the month of August and approach the official start of your student’s first semester, we want to ensure they have the tools they need to be successful. This session will feature an overview of Weeks of Welcome, academic expectations and resources, and internship opportunities. Staff members from the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement, the Academic Success Center, and the Center for Career & Professional Development will share key dates, deadlines, and opportunities to help your students start off strong, both in and outside the classroom.
Register for Next Steps for Success
Clemson Parent & Family Experience Portal
Our staff will engage with parents and families online over the summer through our family portal called the Clemson Parent and Family Experience. You should have already received an email inviting you to join the Clemson Parent and Family Experience. I would encourage you to join; creating an account is free. During your student’s time at Clemson, this portal will be your one-stop shop for helpful resources, campus news and important announcements from the university.
Ready, Set, Roar!
We invite you to participate in Ready, Set, Roar! —an optional two-day campus experience in June and July. This experience is an opportunity for new students, parents and families to visit campus and build connections with each other, faculty and academic staff, as well as Clemson itself. Orientation Ambassadors and Clemson staff members will guide you through the program as you hear from campus administrators and representatives from your student’s academic college/major and participate in exciting activities designed to enhance the transition to college. There is a student and guest fee associated with this program and space is limited.
Your student will receive information on how to sign up for this experience in their Clemson email account. If you wish to attend this experience along with your student, be sure your student registers you as a guest. Visit the New Student Orientation Page for more information.
Student Virtual Orientation Experience
Our Virtual Orientation Platform is now live. This module-based platform includes all information critical to your student’s success at Clemson, from campus life and traditions to academics and major-based information. The Virtual Orientation features videos from faculty and staff members, includes quizzes to track students’ comprehension, and is the only required portion of new student orientation.
As a family member, you can also participate in your own track within the Virtual Orientation, which includes much of the same information your student sees, in addition to key events, resources, and tips and tricks relevant to parents & families specifically. You are welcome to do so by clicking “Guest Login” and creating an account at Virtual Orientation Portal.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you and your student to the Clemson Family! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Questions or Concerns?
Please contact the Center for Student Leadership & Engagement or 864-656-0515.
