8 things to know for Emory’s new academic year

The new academic year is merely days away, which means faculty and staff on Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses are preparing for students’ arrival. Here are eight things you should know before the fall semester officially begins.

1. Students are already arriving for pre-orientation and welcome programs.

First-year students participating in pre-orientation and International Student Welcome programs arrived on campus Monday, Aug. 17, and Tuesday, Aug. 18. Students in the incoming classes for Emory College and Oxford College registered for pre-orientation programs that help them connect with others who share similar interests. From outdoor adventures and leadership lessons to community engagement and interfaith experiences, they’ll spend several days acclimating to life at Emory before orientation begins Saturday, Aug. 22. 

2. More move-ins occur this weekend, with most classes beginning Aug. 26.

First-year and transfer students who are not participating in pre-orientation programs move into Atlanta campus housing Saturday, Aug. 22, with other undergraduate students following on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Oxford College move-in days are Friday, Aug. 21, for first-year students and Tuesday, Aug. 25, for second-year students.

Learn more about Atlanta campus move-in procedures, orientation activities and Oxford College orientation and move-in on the Emory Welcome app. Classes for Emory Law students began Monday, Aug. 17; undergraduate and all other graduate classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 26. 

3. Help welcome the Class of 2030 at the Emory Gate Crossing + Coke Toast.

One popular tradition for Emory’s first-year students is a Coke Toast on the Quad during orientation. Help welcome the Class of 2030 for Emory College of Arts and Sciences at this special event on Monday, Aug. 24.

Faculty, staff, fellow students and alumni are invited to gather at the Emory gate by 10 a.m. to cheer on students as they proceed to the Quad. Once there, new students will participate in their first Coke Toast. The event will conclude by 10:45 a.m.

Oxford College first-year students will also have a Coke Toast on ​Friday, Aug. 21, at 4:30 p.m. Family members are welcome to attend.

4. Emory’s next president and several new deans begin their tenures.

On Sept. 1, Christopher L. Augostini, the university’s current executive vice president and chief operating officer, will become Emory’s 22nd president. Augostini, who joined Emory in 2017, was elected by unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. 

“I’m extraordinarily honored and thrilled to be named Emory’s next president,” Augostini said when his election was announced. “As I look across the higher education landscape, I believe Emory is positioned better than any other university to meet our current challenges and opportunities. I look forward to beginning this new chapter in partnership with faculty, the board, students, staff, and the entire Emory community.”

Six new deans are also stepping into key leadership roles across the university this year, building on Emory’s strengths while shaping new opportunities for students, faculty and the communities they serve:

• Keiko Price Carter, who came to Emory in 2020 as assistant vice president of Campus Life and Clyde Partin Sr. Director of Athletics, began her new role as dean of Campus Life and vice president for student engagement on July 1, after serving in the role in an interim capacity since November 2025.
• Sean Clarke, dean of Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, began his role Aug. 1, joining Emory from the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. 
• Terrence L. Johnson, Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of Candler School of Theology, also joined Emory Aug. 1, coming to the university from Harvard Divinity School. 
• Molly McGehee, an Emory alum and Oxford College faculty member, was appointed Oxford’s interim dean in November 2025 and transitioned to the role permanently July 1. 
• Saby Mitra, dean of Goizueta Business School, began his Emory deanship Aug. 1 after serving as dean of the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. 
• James Nagy, an Emory faculty member for more than 25 years, became dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences on Aug. 10, a role he will hold for the 2026-27 academic year.

5. Campus activities are ramping up — and there’s something for everyone.

One sure sign of the new semester is the growing number of events filling the university calendars. Whether you prefer relaxing at musical performances, learning from inspiring speakers or getting hands-on in a workshop, you’re sure to find events to enjoy this fall.

• Emory Libraries, Oxford College Library and the Michael C. Carlos Museum host numerous exhibitions. For example, make time to stop by the Carlos Museum to see “Compassion: What Moves You?” or “One Broken Cup and Three Fanta Cans.” Admission to the Carlos Museum is free for all Emory students, faculty and staff.
• Check out the Emory Arts and Schwartz Center for Performing Arts websites for details on concerts, theater performances and other arts-related events. Many feature Emory students, faculty and staff, but others highlight nationally- and internationally-known guest performers. 
• Cheer on the Emory Eagles as they compete in multiple sports. Visit the Emory Athletics and Oxford Athletics websites for schedules, news and more.
• For those looking to get active, the Woodruff PE Center and the Student Activity and Academic Center on the Atlanta campus are open, as are Oxford College athletic facilities for Emory faculty, staff and retirees.
• Keep an eye on the Hub, Emory’s virtual home for student-led organizations and events, and the Emory University and Campus Life calendars, which will continue to fill with events throughout the semester. Each of Emory’s undergraduate, graduate and professional schools maintain calendars for academic and other school-specific events, so visit those to stay up to date on your school(s) of choice. 

6. Well-being resources are available for students, faculty and staff.

Well-being is essential to students’ ability to thrive at Emory and beyond. Within the Emory community, students have access to coordinated and comprehensive medical and psychiatric care, counseling, recreation facilities and programs, and health education targeted at building and maintaining overall well-being. 

Students can reach out to Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or Oxford’s Centers for Counseling and Professional Development for information about confidential support through in-person and online appointments. CAPS offers after-hours support to provide Emory students with confidential assistance 24 hours a day, every day. The Office of Respect also offers students on the Atlanta campus confidential, 24/7 support with concerns related to sexual and relationship-based harm.

Students can make appointments for Student Health Services through the Student Health Portal or by calling 404- 727-7551 (press "0") during office hours. 

Want to be proactive about your well-being this year? Get connected to a Wellbeing Coach, who will work with you to define goals to create meaningful change in your life. 

University faculty and staff can access a range of support programs including webinars, well-being check-ins, counseling and more through the Faculty Staff Assistance Program.

7. Follow campus safety tips and prepare to stay informed in an emergency.

Returning to campus is a good time to brush up on safety tips from the Emory Police Department and the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR). Here’s how to get started: 

• Save the Emory Police emergency number in your phone: 404-727-6111.
• Take these additional steps to be Emory Ready: 
  • Make sure to have your EmoryCard available for building access and avoid letting someone follow you into buildings without using their card. If you lose your EmoryCard, call the card office (404-727-6095) ASAP to have it deactivated. 
  • Update contact information in the Emory Emergency Notification program. Students should make updates in OPUS; faculty and staff can make changes in PeopleSoft.
  • Download the Emory Safe app and verify that it’s set to allow notifications. Also check the notifications setting if it’s been a while since you downloaded Emory Safe; this can sometimes turn off due to routine app updates.
  • Review emergency information contained in the app, including the Student and Faculty/Staff Preparedness Checklists and the  Campus Emergency Guide. 
  • Identify and locate emergency resources including severe weather refuge areas, fire exits and automated external defibrillator (AED) locations.
  • Take Life Support Training on campus to learn CPR, how to use an AED, how to treat an obstructed airway and how to control bleeding.
  • Follow Emory Police (@emorypolice) and the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (@emorycepar) on social media for safety tips and emergency updates.

8. Know your options for getting to and around campus.

Emory’s Transportation and Parking Services (TPS) has important information about parking permits, commuter options and getting around campus safely.

• Learn more about student parking, university faculty/staff parking and Emory Healthcare staff parking for fall 2026 on the Atlanta campus.
• Schedules and live tracking for Emory’s shuttles on the Atlanta campus can be found on the TPS website. 
• Are you on campus late? SafeRide is available 365 days per year to provide safe, on-demand nighttime transportation on the Atlanta campus.
• Emory’s Smart Commute program offers benefits for employees who choose MARTA, biking, walking, carpooling, Xpress or Emory shuttles for their commute. Employees can earn additional cash rewards and incentives through Georgia Commute Options.
• Shuttle services on the Oxford campus include routes to nearby shopping and entertainment options. A shuttle runs daily between the Atlanta and Oxford College campuses during the academic year.

Photos by Avery D. Spalding and Sarah Woods, Emory Photo/Video.