By Matthew Phillips 

Troy University is gearing up for its annual IMPACT orientations, set to begin in early June, welcoming thousands of students alongside families, for a look at what the Trojan campus has to offer. 

IMPACT is a required student orientation for incoming freshmen and even transfer students. Throughout attending IMPACT, students will go on to get more familiar with Troy’s campus, meet faculty members and the opportunity to get involved with various organizations come the fall term. In addition, student attendees will also get to meet with professors within their specified departments, creating connections before the upcoming semester begins. 

“I think IMPACT is important because we want students to feel more comfortable coming into the fall. We understand that moving away from your parents and going to college is a big transition,” said Emily Dapprich, Director of IMPACT. 

Aside from students getting comfortable with campus, the “impact” that IMPACT creates with the Troy community is also profound as students and families come in from various regions. This year there is a new addition to orientation called “Downtown Dollar,” which is a partnership that Troy University has created with local businesses in the city to allow students to receive a $15 voucher that can be redeemed at participating shops, restaurants and services in downtown Troy. 

“Downtown Dollar will bring more awareness to the businesses downtown for these freshmen and their families,” said Dapprich. “In previous years, even without Downtown Dollar, many families would leave IMPACT and go shop, eat, and enjoy downtown. The new initiative will be a continuation of that.” 

Representatives from the city and the university jointly developed the program. “With renovations going on around campus, we decided to involve our downtown restaurants in the second day of IMPACT,” said Avery Zubaly, a City of Troy representative. “On day two, students will get a $15 Downtown Dollar voucher to use with their families or new friends at restaurants on the square. If they’re on the fence between Troy and another school, we hope the offer makes them feel like Troy is home.”

As IMPACT 2025 approaches, you can feel the excitement for this year’s program, as 1,500 students have already signed up for the orientation sessions. That’s a significant number, and it shows how important this program is in helping students transition into college life. By partnering with the city, like the Downtown Dollar initiative, Troy University is making sure students feel at home on campus and in the Troy community. As these students start their journey at Troy, the connections they make—on and off campus—will be the foundation for their growth over the next four years and beyond.

Students are required to register for their IMPACT session ahead of time, with a $125 registration fee to attend. This fee covers all orientation activities, meals, and materials for the student during their two-day session. To register, visit https://www.troy.edu/applications-admissions/orientation/troy-orientation.html#register, and for more information, call 334-670-3179 or email impact@troy.edu.