Weeks of Welcome
Welcome to the most exciting time of the year!
August 13-September 18, 2026
Weeks of Welcome (WOW) is an ongoing series of events for new and returning students during the first few weeks of class each fall and spring semester. Students who participate in these events find connections to others, learn about our campus traditions, and gain a sense of pride in the UNC Asheville community. From information sessions to social events, our WOW programs aim to ensure that every student at UNC Asheville feels supported on their academic journey.
Weeks of Welcome Schedule
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. New Student Move-In
- 3-4 p.m. Asheville Lore and More + First 30 Days Challenge (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith)
- 3-4 p.m. Family Reception (Highsmith First Floor)
- 7 – 10 p.m. Ice Cream Social Game Night (Highsmith First Floor)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. New Student Move-In
- 2:30 – 4 p.m. First Year Seminar Meeting
- 3 – 4 p.m. Family Reception (Highsmith First Floor)
- 4 – 5 p.m. Chancellor’s Welcome (Kimmel Arena)
- 5 – 7 p.m. Welcome Picnic (The Quad)
- 9 – 11 p.m. Bingo Night Bash (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Returning Student Move-In
- 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EmBark Orientation for New Students
- 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Registered Student Orgs (RSO) Tailgate and Cookout (Parking Lots P11 & P12)
- 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Pep Rally and Volleyball Scrimmage (Justice Center)
- 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. Highsmith After Dark (Highsmith Student Union)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Returning Student Move-In
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Brunch with the Deans (Laurel Form) RSVP REQUIRED HERE
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Poster Sale (Student Life Porch, Highsmith)
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Asheville Lore and More + First 30 Days Challenge (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith)
- 1 – 5 p.m. Fun in the Sun (The Quad)
- 7 -9 p.m. Sunset Party ( Sunset Lot P8)
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. First Scoop (Ice Cream on the Quad)
- 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Campus Magic Live! (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
- 7:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesday Trivia Premier Party (The Grotto, Highsmith)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
- 7 – 9 p.m. Syllabi and Spaghetti (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
- 7 – 9 p.m. Pass the Mic: UNCA Stories (The Grotto, Highsmith)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rockypalooza Pre-registration (Reed Plaza, swipe in with your RockyCard before the event so you dont have to wait in line!)
- 5 – 8 p.m. Rockypalooza (The Quad)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Weekends in AVL Kickoff (Day)
- 6 – 10 p.m. Weekends in AVL Kickoff (Dark)
- 9 – 10 p.m. Glow Flow: Rave Yoga (Kimmel Arena)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
- 6 – 9 a.m. Blue Ridge Sunrise Summit Off Campus RSVP REQUIRED HERE
- 1 – 5 p.m. Mountain Made: Music and Makers Fest (Reynolds Green)
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
- 7 – 9 p.m. Speed Friending (Alumni Hall, Highsmith)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Involvement Showcase (The Quad)
- 7:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesday Trivia (The Grotto, Highsmith)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
- 5 – 7 p.m. Murder Mystery Dinner (Blue Ridge Room, Highsmith) RSVP REQUIRED HERE
- 7 – 10 p.m. Bulldog Boardwalk (Wellness Way, Student Rec Center entrance)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Part-Time Job Fair (Ramsey Library)
- 7 – 10 p.m. Late Night Food Truck Rally (Reed Plaza)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
- 7 – 10 p.m. Welcome Concert (Greenwood Baseball Field)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29
- 2 – 6 p.m. Relax on Reed (Reed Plaza)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
- 7 -9 p.m. Paint and Pour (The Grotto, Highsmith)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
- 7:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesday Trivia (The Grotto, Highsmith)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- 7 – 9 p.m. Capture the Campus (Reynolds Green)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
- 7 – 8 p.m. Find Your Team: Club Sports Sampler (Reynolds Green)
- 8 – 10 p.m. Movie Under the Mountains (Reynolds Green)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
- 6 – 10 p.m. Bulldogs at the Ballpark: UNCA Night with Asheville Tourists (McCormick Field, Off Campus)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
- 7:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesday Trivia (The Grotto, Highsmith)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
- 7 – 9 p.m. Canoe Battleship (Student Rec Center, Justice Pool)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
- 1-5 p.m. Bulldogs Serve: National Day of Service (Reed Plaza)
- 7:27 – 10 p.m. Founder’s Day Reynolds Ball (Reynolds Green)
Rocky Connect
Rocky Connect is your centralized home for student events and programs at UNC Asheville. Whether you want to join a club or find a fun event to attend, Rocky Connect is the place to get connected outside of the classroom.
Student Involvement Showcase: August 25
11 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Quad
The Student Involvement Showcase is a vibrant gathering of student organizations and clubs where you can explore opportunities to get involved, make connections, and enrich your college experience. Whether you’re interested in community service, cultural exchange, academic enrichment, or simply looking to meet new people who share your interests, there’s something for everyone!
Here’s what you can expect at the showcase:
- Diverse Organizations: Discover a wide array of student organizations spanning various interests, hobbies, and causes.
- Engaging Activities: Participate in interactive demonstrations, games, and presentations hosted by different clubs.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow students, club leaders, faculty advisors, and potential mentors who can support your personal and professional growth.
- Freebies and Giveaways: Enjoy complimentary snacks, goodies, and informational materials provided by participating organizations.
Attending the Student Involvement Showcase is a fantastic way to kickstart your vibrant and fulfilling college experience. Whether you’re a first-year student eager to explore extracurricular opportunities or a returning student looking to expand your horizons, we encourage you to mark your calendar and join us for this exciting event!
Contact the Weeks of Welcome Team!
Weeks of Welcome is made possible by an incredible community of student organizations, University departments/offices, and campus partnerships. Much of WOW is brought to life by the Campus Life team who create, plan, and run many of the events for WOW. Reach out to us for more info, we can’t wait to connect with you!
| Phone: (828) 232-5145 |
| Email: weeksofwelcome@unca.edu |
| Highsmith Student Union, CPO 1200 One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804 |