WELCOME TO LEVEL UP

Level Up is your launchpad to own your college experience from day one.

This free, high-impact experience for incoming first-year Zips is designed to amplify your strengths, connect you with your collegiate community, and position you for leadership—all before classes begin. Level Up flows seamlessly into your New Roo Orientation, giving you insider access and the playbook to excel in your first year and beyond.

Level Up is purposefully created to celebrate and elevate first-generation trailblazers (students whose parents or guardians have not completed a four-year bachelor’s degree) while welcoming any incoming student ready to accelerate their Akron journey.

THE LEVEL UP ADVANTAGE

Enjoy an overnight stay and get a taste of residence hall living during orientation. Learn about the support offered by the Office of Academic & Retention Support.

• Campus Living Preview: Experience residence hall life firsthand with an overnight stay, getting comfortable and connected across campus before move-in day.

• Insider Network & Mentorship: Team up with upper-level peer leaders and the Office of Academic and Retention Support (OARS) team dedicated to championing your success.

• Lifelong Connections: Forge lasting friendships and find your circle of peers before your first day of class.

• Scholarly Mastery: Refine high-impact strategies in semester planning, time mastery, financial wellness, and active learning.

• Digital Command & Self-Advocacy: Take charge of Akron’s core platforms with confidence. Learn to navigate Brightspace so you are fully prepared on day one, and use Workday to manage your FERPA permissions on your own terms.

• Orientation Head Start: Step into New Roo Orientation as an informed, confident insider who already knows the ropes.

• Campus Involvement: Discover student organizations and ways to get connected on campus.

This is your chance to explore opportunities for campus involvement and discover what UA has to offer before you even start your first semester!

OUR 2026 PROGRAM DATES ARE:

• Wed. June 17 – Thurs. June 18 (Full/Closed)
• Wed. June 24 – Thurs. June 25 (Full/Closed)
• Thurs. July 9 – Fri. July 10 (Full/Closed)
• Mon. July 20 – Tues. July 21 (Full/Closed)

2027 program dates are TBD. Please check back for updates.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

• No additional charges to participate.
• Overnight stay and all meals included.
• Spacing is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

TENTATIVE OUTLINE OF THE DAY

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM - Welcome & Kickoff

9:50 AM – 10:50 AM - Academic Success Basics

10:50 AM – 11:00 AM - Break

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM - Financial Aid Literacy

11:40 AM – 12:00 PM - Office of Academic and Retention Support (OARS) Programming

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Lunch at Rob’s Dining Hall

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM - Simmons Hall Scavenger Hunt

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM - Break – Transition to Bierce Library

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM - Workday Training: Class Registration & Campus Tools

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM - Break – Transition to Simmons Hall

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM - Student Panel: Advice and Q&A

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM - Closing Session

CONTACT US

Questions? Email us at OARSSTAFF@uakron.edu or call (330) 972-7760