Conéctate is a free program designed for first-year freshmen and transfer students to experience the fast-paced campus life that awaits at the University of Illinois. Conéctate will take place August 20-22, 2025
Encuentra tu Hogar | Apply for Conéctate through August 1!
Why Conéctate?
This two-day program will provide incoming First-Year and Transfer College Students at a predominately white institution (PWI) the opportunity to explore Latinidad by empowering a sense of belonging and identity. Attendees will learn about the university’s academic rigor from current faculty, meet current students who will share how they balance all sorts of responsibilities, and acquire resources that will help them adjust and succeed on campus.
The program intends to open up spaces to learn and understand college experiences based on issues pertinent to Latinx students rather than framing one’s experience on current dominant narratives.
The program consists of three different modules:
- Sense of belonging
- Developing student-faculty relationship
- Balancing responsibilities
Conéctate at a Glance
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | Day 1
- Morning: Bienvenidos! Welcome to campus! On Wednesday morning, participants will move into their assigned residence hall before the Conéctate program begins. Make sure to select the earliest move in time!
- Afternoon: Check Into Conéctate to receive your program materials starting at 2PM, explore La Casa, and get ready for our Conéctate Kickoff to meet your group! We welcome our familias to join us for kickoff and family-specific workshops.
- Evening: Conéctate participants, familias, faculty & staff, and our campus partners will enjoy an evening program and dinner together. Following dinner, families will head home and participants will end the evening with activities & music at La Casa.
Thursday August 21, 2025 | Day 2
- Morning: Enjoy breakfast in your residence halls and then kick start your day with Conéctate! We will take our Conéctate group & small group photos and guided campus tours from our Conéctate Staff Members. Wear your Conéctate shirt provided at check-in!
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch in residence halls with your team leaders followed by an afternoon of setting yourself up for success at Illinois with Mock Lectures, Resource Presentations, and development opportunities!
- Afternoon: Continue with a day of solidarity & action through Cultural Engagement Programs in collaboration with The Circut & Indigenous Scholars Orientation!
- Evening: End a powerful day of Cultural Engagement Programs by attending your first campus Welcome Week Event, Signs & Sounds to welcome you to campus!
We will have a day full of fun activities, sessions, and our Cultural Engagement Programs will start this day.
Friday, August 22, 2025 | Day 3
- Meet at La Casa to attend Various Welcome Week events as a group including the New Student Convocation, Welcome Celebration, College Meetings, Transfer Orientation and more!
Please note, full participation throughout the entirety of the Conéctate program is required!
Family Programming During Conéctate
During the first day of Conéctate, August 20th, there will be programming for families. Students and families are together from check-in until the Welcome. After the welcome families will attend a presentation with our Director, and students will stay with each other until Dinner.
- Family Presentation
The family presentation is geared towards families who are attending with their first student(s) who is the first in the family to attend college. The focus of the presentation is to provide tips and transition guidance from the perspective of the La Casa Cultural Latina Director, and their observation of what our first year students navigate and tips for families to consider. Following the family presentation families and students will be united for dinner together. - Dinner
Dinner will take place with families, students, and campus partners. Dinner will be provided free of charge. - Post Dinner
Students will remain in the program and families will depart and say their farewells after dinner, this can be an emotional time for the student and family members and we encourage you to take your time. Following farewells, students can head back to La Casa for activities & more as part of Late Night at La Casa!
Frequently Asked Questions
Housing/Billing Related
Is Conéctate free?
Yes! We cover housing and all the meals that are not provided by your meal plan. If you live in Private Certified Housing and meal plans have not started, we will cover your meals.
Should I be signing up for a Housing move in time slot?
Yes! Please make sure you select August 20th and a morning move in time slot because our programming will start as early as 1:30pm.
Moving in on August 20th means there is an early arrival fee, will I have to pay the fee?
No! If you move in on August 20th in the morning, you will not have to pay for the early arrival fee, if you’re moving in before August 20th, you are responsible for the cost.
Logistical Questions
What if I cannot participate in all 3 days?
We encourage you to connect with La Casa once the semester starts instead. This program is designed to intentionally build off each day and missing any day(s) will interrupt in getting the full experience.
What does Conéctate provide?
We will provide a Conéctate shirt, a shirt, food, supplies for activities, community, and an experience you will never forget!
What are the Cultural Engagement Programs?
The Cultural Engagement Programs are when we have a cross-programming model with our lovely cultural center neighbors Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center and Native American House. The Cultural Engagement Programs focus on the following: Solidarity, Empowerment, and Community.
What will we be doing August 22nd? I have my college meeting & convocation that day, what can I do?
Great question! Your leaders will guide you to all the Welcome Back celebrations including your college meetings. We will not have a formal Conéctate program on this day but rather an ability to stay with and network with other Conéctate participants while meeting new individuals in your college.
Who can attend Conéctate?
Conéctate is open to any new first year or transfer student who registers.
Other Questions
My family is worried about me attending the program, what should I tell them?
Have your family call us and they can talk to our staff or Director, we have bilingual staff that can also communicate with them in Spanish if they are worried. In the past when families called us and talked to our staff, we helped ease the transition they are experiencing.