JumpStart: Getting started on the right foot
What is JumpStart?
JumpStart 2026: September 20 - 25
We are so excited to welcome you to the Walla Walla University family! To get to know you better and to help ensure that your college experience starts off on the right foot, we've created JumpStart, our freshman orientation week, jam-packed with events and programs designed to help you learn about how WWU works and where you can find the resources that will help you be successful during your time here.
During JumpStart you will get to settle into your room before everyone else does, learn your way around campus, meet your academic advisor, get help with finishing up registration tasks, attend workshops that will help you navigate and succeed in college, and meet new, life-long friends.
2026 JumpStart Schedule
Sunday
| Event | Time | Location |
| JumpStart Check-in* | 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Front of the Fine Arts Center (FAC) |
| President's Luncheon | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | WEC Gym |
| JumpStart Check-in* | 2:00 PM - 3:50 PM | Front of the Fine Art Center (FAC) |
| Kick-Off (Students Only) | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Centennial Green |
| Picnic Dinner (Students Only)** | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Centennial Green |
| Residential Life Orientation (Dorm Student) | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Village Hall |
*JumpStart Check-in is when we welcome students, check them in for JumpStart, and give them their welcome bag that includes items such as their student ID, JumpStart name tag, JumpStart schedule, and other fun items!
**Parents and families are welcome to check our curated local restaurant guide for dining options.
Monday
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | TBA |
| Music and Worship | 9:00 - 9:35 AM | Centennial Green |
| English Placement Test | 9:45 - 10:50 AM | Various Locations |
| Breakout Session 1 | 11:00 - 11:50 AM | Various Locations |
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | TBA |
| Breakout Session 2 | 1:00 - 1:50 PM | Various Locations |
| Breakout Session 3 | 2:00 - 2:50 PM | Various Locations |
| Breakout Session 4 | 3:00 - 3:50 PM | Various Locations |
| Info Session - Honors | 4:00 - 4:50 PM | ADM 117 |
| Dinner | 5:00 - 6:30 PM | TBA |
| Almost Anything Goes | 8:00 - 10:00 PM | Winter Educational Complex Gym |
Tuesday
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | TBA |
| Music and Worship | 9:15 - 9:50 AM | Centennial Green |
| Breakout Session 5 | 10:00 - 10:50 AM | Various Locations |
| Breakout Session 6 | 11:00 - 11:50 AM | Various Locations |
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | TBA |
| Math Placement Test, Financial Clearance, Pre-Professional & Individual Advising | 1:00 - 5:00 PM | Various Locations |
| Departmental Supper | 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Meet in front of the University Church |
| International Student Orientation | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | TBA |
Wednesday
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | TBA |
| Music and Worship | 9:15 - 9:50 AM | Centennial Green |
| Group Advising | 10:00 - 11:50 AM | Various Locations |
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | TBA |
| Group Advising | 1:00 - 3:50 PM | Various Locations |
| Mask Photos | 3:00 - 5:30 PM | Centennial Green |
| General Session: FERPA and WWU Apps | 4:00 - 4:50 PM | Centennial Green |
| Dinner | 5:00 - 6:30 PM | TBA |
| Ice Cream Social | 5:00 - 6:30 PM | Havstad Alumni Center |
| Social Meetups | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | TBA |
Thursday
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | TBA |
| Music and Worship | 9:00 - 9:50 AM | Centennial Green |
| General Session | 10:00 - 10:50 AM | Centennial Green |
| Info Session - Student Employment | 11:00 - 11:50 AM | TBA |
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | TBA |
| Math Placement Test Retakes | 1:00 - 3:50 PM | KRH 216 |
| Student Conduct - Session 1 | 1:00 - 1:50 PM | FAC Recital Hall |
| Student Conduct - Session 2 | 2:00 - 2:50 PM | FAC Recital Hall |
| Mask Photos | 3:00 - 6:00 PM | Centennial Green |
| Student Panel hosted by the JumpStart Leaders | 4:00 - 4:50 PM | TBA |
| Dinner | 5:00 - 6:30 PM | TBA |
| ASWWU Capture the Flag; Atlas Open Mic | 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Front of Campus; Atlas |
Friday
| Event | Time | Location |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 9:00 AM | TBA |
| Music & Worship | 9:15 - 9:50 AM | Centennial Green |
| Student Life Day | 10:00 - 12:00 PM | Centennial Green & Various Locations |
| Lunch | 12:00 - 12:50 PM | TBA |
| Service Tour | 2:00 - 3:50 PM | Downtown Walla Walla |
| JumpStart Groups | 4:00 - 4:50 PM | Various Locations |
| Mentor & Transfer Student Supper | 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Administration Building Lawn |
| Vespers | 8:00 PM | Centennial Green |
| ASWWU Sabbath Sigh | After Vespers | Bowers Hall Lobby |
Resources
FAQ's
JumpStart is designed for first-time first-year college students with less that 45 college credits. Students enrolled at WWU for the summer or fall quarter will participate in Jumpstart.
The fee for attending JumpStart ($321) covers all activities, materials, meals, and lodging for the week. Students who attend the required number of sessions and complete the required online modules will receive one academic credit, a significant savings compared to the full price of an academic credit. The JumpStart fee will be applied to your student account when classes begin (payment in advance is not necessary).
The residence halls will be open and ready for you to move in beginning Sunday, September 20, 2026. Please check in for JumpStart in front of the Fine Arts Center before moving into your residence hall. Find more move-in information here.
Your orientation fee covers all your meals during the week of JumpStart. You will begin using your fall quarter meal plan the Sunday evening after JumpStart ends.
If you will need disability support (including meals) during the week of JumpStart, please contact Disability Support Services as soon as possible with your specific needs. Contact: disability.support@wallawalla.edu | (509) 527-2366
Learn more about Disability Support Services at WWU.
Complete the JumpStart registration form above. Once you have completed the JumpStart registration form, meet with an academic advisor and register for fall classes to automatically be enrolled in the JumpStart D2L Brightspace course! Book a meeting to register for classes.
How do I upload a photo for my student ID?
1. Take your photo
An approved photo must meet these requirements:
- Be a recent, color photo of just yourself
- Be a head shot, clearly displaying the full face and shoulders (hair out of face & no hats or sunglasses)
2. Upload it
- Log in to mywwu.wallawalla.edu
- Click your name > Profile > Edit button
- Upload your photo
3. Pick it up
- Your student ID should be waiting for you at JumpStart Check-in!