Friday September 4th

Registrar Office Hours (optional) 8:00-10:00 a.m.
Dean Nicole Mirando and Registrar Abigail Asgaralli will hold office hours to answer student
questions about course registration and general degree requirements. We encourage you to pop
by if you can! We’d love to get to know the incoming class. Join us for virtual social time!

Courageous Conversations 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
About Race, Identity, Racism and Black Lives Matter
Facilitated by Takiema Bunche-Smith, MPA, MSEd., students will be guided to reflect on how
race, identity and racism shape their lives in small and large ways, and especially as they move
into their lives and work at Union. The session will also support participants to understand the
historical contexts and current implications of anti-Black racism as the U.S. continues to contend
with the double pandemic of COVID-19 and systemic racism. The session will be interactive and
respectful of various learning needs as we gather remotely to embark upon and continue
courageous conversations in community with each other. A break will also be included.

Closing Reflections 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Join the orientation team for the final mandatory session to share closing reflections as we
transition into the school year.

Course Registration Opens via SSO/NetClassroom 2:00 p.m.

Registrar Office Hours (optional) 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Dean Nicole Mirando and Registrar Abigail Asgaralli will hold office hours to answer student
questions about course registration and general degree requirements. We encourage you to pop
by if you can! We’d love to get to know the incoming class. Join us for virtual social time!

Community Practice Group (optional, click here for separate Zoom link) 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Facilitated by current students Kimberley Gordy, Shelley Burtt, Ellie Hutchison Cervantes and
James Mannion, the Community Practice Group is an opportunity to cultivate community,
engage spiritual practice, and offer peer spiritual care through deep sharing and listening. This
optional orientation session will feature an introduction to the group, with time for embodied
practice, personal reflection, and small-group and full-group conversations. The theme for this
session is “Stirred to Love,” drawing on the words of Teresa of Avila: “The important thing is not
to think much but to love much, and so do that which best stirs you to love.”