WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College will host Freshman Welcome Days on July 21, July 28 and Aug. 3 to help new students transition into their first year of community college.

The program, which runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day, will feature a campus tour and workshops on how to get involved outside of classes and how to navigate the online course catalog. It will be based at the Rio Café at center of the campus, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.

“The first few months on a new college campus are incredibly important in a student’s career,” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said. “We bring all of our resources together for Freshman Welcome Days to give our students the tools they need to be successful.”

Rio Hondo can accommodate 100 students per day during the events; those who attend will receive a free breakfast.

The Office of Student Life will give a tour of the campus and explain how new students can become involved in extra-curricular activities.Then students will meet with a counselor to learn about the importance of their first year college and how to be ready.

Finally, Rio Hondo’s Office of Outreach will show students a host of important online resources including the AccessRio portal, the college course catalog and how to check for any missing requirements for financial aid.

“The first semester at college can seem overwhelming,” Rio Hondo Board of Trustees President Mary Ann Pacheco said. “We’re here to show that this isn’t something they need to go through alone. Rio Hondo is committed to providing the support students need in this time of exciting change.”