Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

Evaluating Empowerment Language During the First-Year Student Transition

Kathryn B. Wilhite

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v25i1.2918

Keywords: First year, transition, language, adjustment, communication, empowerment strategies

---

Abstract

Orientation programs can construct communication pieces that, using language balance, help students begin to define the institutional environment, their role within it, and the experiences they will have before and after enrollment. Additionally, orientation can host conversations about appropriate terms and phrases, as well as ways to define the institution and students themselves. Orientation can also begin a conversation about the institutional lexicon and whether the usage of words is delivering contradictory, confusing, or over-emphasized messages.