Orientation
Get ready to start your journey at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Fall Orientation
Fall 2025 Orientation will take place from Tuesday, August 26 through Thursday, August 28, 2025. Orientation programming includes opportunities to hear from School leadership, learn about your academic program, and engage with faculty, connect with the co-curricular resources that are available to support your success, and begin to form meaningful connections with your peers and colleagues.
Orientation programming will take place in the Kresge Building, located at 677 Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02115 and at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School (JBM) located at 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur; Boston, MA 02115. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is located in the Longwood Medical Area.
2025 Orientation Schedule
The schedule below includes core programming offered during orientation. This core orientation programming will be supplemented by additional opportunities during your first weeks on campus.
Please note, this schedule is subject to change.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Breakfast and lunch will be available; the reception features light appetizers.
| Start Time | End Time | Event and Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30AM | 10:00AM | Check- In and light breakfast available Receive your orientation nametag and school-branded items while mingling with new students over a light breakfast. | JBM Lobby |
| 8:30AM | 10:00AM | Hold Clearing and ID Pick-Up Check in with Harvard Chan staff to receive your Harvard University ID (HUID). All students must bring a government-issued photo ID, and international students must bring their passport and I-20 for Check-In. | JBM 2nd Floor |
| 10:00AM | 11:30AM | Welcome Address and Keynote entitled: Public Health: Your Personal and Professional Journey Andrea Baccarelli, Dean of the Faculty and Keynote Speaker, Dr. Howard Koh, Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health Leadership, will address and welcome new students. | JBM Amphitheater |
| 11:30AM | 12:30PM | International Student Meeting Mandatory for international students holding an F-1 or J-1 visa. Harvard International Office (HIO) will provide an overview of services offered and immigration policies as they apply to Harvard Chan international students. Topics include understanding your documents, travel regulations, employment, taxes, social security numbers, and more. A catered meal will be provided for students attending this session. | JBM Amphitheater |
| 11:30AM | 2:00PM | Lunch During check-in, all new students will receive lunch vouchers to use at designated dining locations across campus. These vouchers are for $15. A staff member or student guide will walk with interested students to these dining options after the morning sessions. | Elements (JBM), Sebastians (Kresge), or Courtyard Cafe (HMS) |
| 11:30AM | 2:00PM | Campus Tours Tour the Harvard Chan buildings and facilities. Tours depart from the Kresge Atrium. Sign Up here: hsph.me/HSPHOrientationCampusTours | Kresge Atrium |
| 12:00PM 1:00PM | 1:00PM 2:00PM | Countway Library Orientation Countway Library Chan School Liaisons will provide an overview of library access, research support, services, and resources. Get answers to your questions and let your Countway Liaisons know how they can support you. This session occurs twice. Attend at a time that fits your schedule. | Kresge G2 |
| 1:00PM | 2:00PM | Master of Public Health Program-Wide Session Meet with MPH program leaders, staff, and faculty field of study leaders for an overview and welcome to the MPH program. All new MPH students should attend. | JBM Amphitheater |
| 1:00PM | 5:00PM | IT Drop-In Hours Meet with staff from the Department of Information Technology to make sure you are familiar with computing at Harvard Chan. Learn how to connect to the “virtual desktop” system that allows you to use SPH software for free, how to join the “Harvard Secure” Wi-Fi network, and how to use the student printing system. Staff from IT will also be available to help you get started with Canvas – the learning management system for your course websites. Please bring your laptop and other academic technology or devices. | Kresge 200, Harvard Chan |
| 1:00PM | 2:30PM | Hold Clearing and ID Pick-Up Check in with Harvard Chan staff to receive your Harvard University ID (HUID). All students must bring a government-issued photo ID and international students must bring their passport and I-20 for Check-In. | JBM 2nd Floor |
| 2:00PM | 5:00PM | Academic Department and MPH Field of Study Meetings See detailed schedule | Refer to the Schedule |
| 5:00PM | 6:30PM | New Student Reception The Office for Student Affairs cordially invites you to a reception for all new students at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. Join staff and faculty to celebrate your arrival! | Kresge Cafeteria, Harvard Chan |
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Breakfast and lunch will be available.
| Start Time | End Time | Event and Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00AM | 9:00AM | Light Breakfast Enjoy a light breakfast before the morning’s programming | JBM Lobby |
| 10:00AM | 4:00PM | Hold Clearing and ID Pick-Up Check in with Harvard Chan staff to receive your Harvard University ID (HUID). All students must bring a government-issued photo ID, and international students must bring their passport and I-20 for Check-In. | Kresge G7 |
| 9:00AM | 10:30AM | Foundations for Public Health: From Concepts to Application Sue J Goldie, Roger Irving Lee Professor of Public Health, Director, Center for Health Decision Science, Director, Global Health Education and Learning Incubator at Harvard University | JBM Amphitheater |
| 10:30AM | 10:45AM | Coffee Break Enjoy some coffee and tea between sessions. | JBM Lobby |
| 10:45AM | 12:15PM | Calling to Public Health Fawn Phelps, Director of Leadership Development Ra’Shaun Nalls, Director of Community Engagement Dr. Aisha Yousafzai, Professor of Child Development and Health Dr. Gaurab Basu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health | JBM Amphitheater |
| 12:15PM | 2:00PM | Lunch During check-in, all new students will receive lunch vouchers to use at designated dining locations across campus. These vouchers are for $15. A staff member or student guide will walk with interested students to these dining options after the morning sessions. | Elements (JBM), Sebastians (Kresge), or Courtyard Cafe (HMS) |
| 12:30PM | 2:00PM | Campus Tours Tour the Harvard Chan buildings and facilities. Tours depart from the JBM Lobby. Sign Up here: hsph.me/HSPHOrientationCampusTours | JBM Lobby |
| 2:00PM | 3:00PM | Stronger Together: Belonging as a Collective Process Dr. Bryan Thomas Jr., Chief Community and Belonging Officer Belonging doesn’t emerge by chance. It’s fostered through intentional effort, shared values, and a willingness to actively engage across differences. This session explores how belonging can be cultivated through the everyday structures, practices, and relationships that shape the way we build our community. | JBM Amphitheater |
| 3:00PM | 4:15PM | Setting Yourself Up for Success: Maximizing Your Experience at Harvard Chan There is so much to discover and do during your time at Harvard Chan! This session encourages you to think about your unique path from orientation to graduation and how to make the most of your time at Harvard Chan. Staff from the Office for Student Services will share resources to ensure you have access to fully participate in academic and co-curricular opportunities, are equipped with the tools to successfully navigate your experience, and find spaces and places to cultivate meaningful connections in the Harvard Chan community. | JBM Amphitheater |
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Meals are on your own this day. Sebastian’s offers $1 meals for breakfast and lunch!
| Start Time | End Time | Event and Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00AM 12:00PM 1:00 PM | 12:00PM 1:00PM 2:00PM | Colors & Connections This short workshop will give you an orientation to loneliness as a public health issue and highlight how the arts can be used to address it. After a brief intro, you’ll learn how creative expression can connect us through fun participation in an arts activity and some socializing with other new Harvard Chan students. Dr. Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, founder of Project UnLonely and Harvard Chan faculty member, will share insights on cutting-edge research that highlights the urgent need to address the loneliness epidemic. Dr Nobel also teaches HPM 561: “Loneliness and Public Health.” Attend at a time that fits your schedule: 11:00am – 12:00pm: RSVP here 12:00pm –1:00pm: RSVP here 1:00pm – 2:00pm: RSVP here | Assigned when you RSVP |
| 1:00PM | 4:00PM | Career and Professional Development Office Drop-In Hours The Office of Career and Professional Development helps students and alumni build successful and rewarding careers in public health. | Kresge G4 |
| 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Harvard Chan: Navigating the US Financial System Virtual Presented by the Harvard FCU Thrive team. RSVP here. Join us for an informative webinar designed to help you confidently navigate the U.S. financial system. We’ll cover essential topics such as banking basics, building credit, managing debt, and understanding common financial services, with practical tips and resources to support your financial success. Perfect for newcomers and anyone looking to strengthen their financial knowledge. | Virtual |
| 2:00PM 3:40PM | 3:20PM 5:00PM | Case Study Method Workshop The objectives of this interactive session are to introduce you to the case method at Harvard Chan, help you learn more about an important public health problem, and get to know and learn from your fellow students. Please note there is pre-work for this workshop. Attend at a time that fits your schedule: 2:00 pm– 3:20 pm: RSVP here 3:40 pm- 5:00 pm: RSVP here | Assigned when you RSVP |
| 5:30PM | 7:30PM | New Student Game Night Kresge Cafeteria, Harvard Chan: RSVP here Kick off your Harvard Chan experience with a night of games, laughter, and new friends! Join us for an evening of board games, snacks, and plenty of chances to connect with your classmates in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Bring your favorite board or tabletop game to share—or just come ready to play! We’ll provide games and refreshments—just bring your competitive spirit and enthusiasm. | Kresge Cafeteria |