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Full-Time MBA Orientation

Welcome incoming MBA students! We are so excited to have you join the Willamette MBA community.

Compass Week

Compass Week is the Early Career and Career Change MBA orientation which takes place Monday, August 18 through Friday, August 22, 2025. All incoming students to the Early Career and Career Change MBA program are required to participate. There is an additional mandatory day of Orientation for all International Students on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Designed to get your MBA journey started on the right foot, Compass Week focuses on preparing students for effective scholarly practice, professional readiness, and community engagement. provides incoming students with an opportunity to meet fellow classmates, faculty, and staff. The Compass Week agenda will include program resources, academic modules and exercises, team-building activities, career development, opportunities to meet faculty, and much more.

See below for this year's current draft schedule. Participants will receive a printed final schedule on Monday morning.

2025 Schedule

9:00 a.m. Check-in opens, breakfast provided, Kaneko Atrium
10:00 a.m. Welcome from President Stephen Thorsett, Kaneko 121
10:15 a.m. Welcome from Dean Romana Autrey, Kaneko 121
10:30 a.m. Leadership and staff introductions, Kaneko 121
10:45 a.m. Compass Week overview, getting to know each other, Kaneko 121
12:30 p.m. Lunch, Kaneko Atrium
1:30 p.m. Program overview, Kaneko 121
2:15 p.m. ASA Exec Board introduction, Kaneko 121
3:00 p.m. Support resources, Kaneko 121
3:45 p.m. End of day wrap up, Kaneko 121
4:00 p.m. Willamette Digital Tools introduction (optional), Kaneko 121
4:30 p.m. MBA / Law mixer, School of Law
9:30 a.m. Check-in, coffee & tea, Kaneko 121
10:00 a.m. Managerial Disciplines Overview with Associate Professor of Economics Jon Thompson, Kaneko 121
11:30 a.m. Resource Panel, Kaneko 121
12:00 p.m. Lunch, Goudy Commons
12:45 p.m. Cohort Teambuilding and introduction to Salem, Downtown Salem
9:30 a.m. Check-in Coffee & tea, Kaneko 121
10:00 a.m. Career Management introduction, Kaneko 121
11:00 a.m. The Atkinson MBA with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Human Resources and Organizational Behavior, Ashley Nixon, Kaneko 121
12:00 p.m. Lunch with Faculty, Kaneko 119/120
1:30 p.m. Alumni Panel: Making the Most of AGSM, Kaneko 121
2:30 p.m. Goal-setting Activity, Kaneko 121
8:30 a.m. Check-in, tea and coffee provided, Kaneko 121
9:00 a.m. Introduction to Practical Application for Careers and Enterprises (PACE) with Assistant Professor Management Jim Ostler, Kaneko 121
12:00 p.m. Lunch, Kaneko 119/120
1:00 p.m. Professionalism, Kaneko 121
2:00 p.m. 2nd Year MBA Panel - PCAs, Kaneko 121
Evening Thursday Night Out (optional), with second-year MBA cohort, TBD
9:00 a.m. Professional Headshots, Kaneko TBD
11:00 a.m. Networking 101, Kaneko 121
12:00 p.m. Lunch, Kaneko 119/120
1:00 p.m. Employer visits, Kaneko 121
4:00 p.m. Mentor/mentee meet-up (optional), Kaneko 121
4:30 p.m. AGSM Reception, Appetizers and drinks provided Putnam University Center (UC), 2nd floor balcony

Important Resources

The following information will be helpful to you as you begin your MBA journey with us this fall.

Throughout Compass Week, you will participate in various programs and activities that will provide you with opportunities to meet and interact with the Willamette MBA faculty and staff, as well as get to know each other. Some days will require business casual or business professional attire, and others will be more casual. Please consult the final Compass Week schedule in July for attire expectations throughout the week.

For the fall semester, all first-year students will have class each day, Monday through Thursday. Classes may start as early as 8:00 a.m. and end as late as 5:00 p.m.

All first-year MBA students are pre-registered for a standard schedule of required classes in fall semester. Your individual class schedule is available to view later in the summer.

View the full schedule of courses available each semester online.

Your book list is on the Willamette Bookstore site after your class schedule is available. Although you may choose to purchase your books from the Willamette Bookstore, it is not required.

  • Mandatory International Student Orientation is on Friday, August 15, 2025.
  • Compass Week Orientation is Monday, August 18, 2025-Friday, August 22, 2025.
  • Fall semester classes begin on Monday, August 25, 2025.
  • You can view the EC/CC academic calendar for 2025-2026 online

Willamette MBA
Kaneko, 2nd floor
(503) 370-6167

Willamette MBA Career Management
Kaneko, 1st floor
(503) 370-6790

The Service Center
Student IDs, Parking Permits, Bike Registration
University Services Building
(503) 370-6300

Office of Financial Aid
1st Floor Waller Hall
(503) 370-6273 (voice)
(877) 744-3736 (toll free)

Student Accounts
Tuition payments, refunds, 1098-T tax information
University Services Building
(503) 370-5308

Bishop Wellness Center
Health Services, Student Insurance, and Counseling
Baxter Hall, Salem Campus
(503) 370-6062

Accessible Education Services
Disability accommodations
Smullin Hall 155, Salem Campus
(503) 370-6737

Office of International Education
International student support
Global Learning Center, NW corner of Baxter near Smullin and Ford Halls
(503) 370-5493

Campus Recreation
Putnam University Center, 2nd floor
(503) 370-6008

Please see Tuition and Financial Aid for a breakdown of tuition, fees, and estimated expenses for full-time tuition.

Willamette Integrated Technology Services (WITS) is Willamette's technology services group. WITS manages the campus' network, email systems, computer labs, and more. They provide students with their network account which is used to access Willamette's technology resources, as well as student technology support.

WITS keeps updated computer recommendations for students, including incoming MBA students. Please check out this page for information about suggested computer specifications.

WITS has a Help Desk in Smullin 118. The Help Desk can be reached at (503) 370-6767 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm during the school year, and 8:00 am to 4:30 pm during the summer.

The Willamette MBA Career Management, located on the first floor of the Kaneko Building, is a valuable student resource, dedicated to creating employment and professional development opportunities for students and alumni. You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the Career Management staff during Orientation.

For more information about Atkinson Student Groups, please visit Student Organizations at Willamette MBA.

Please see Veterans Affairs for more information about Veterans Education Benefits.

Willamette University

Office of Admissions

  • Graduate and Professional Center

    Address

    Ecotrust Building
    721 NW 9th Ave
    Portland Oregon 97209 U.S.A.

    Contact

    503-370-6303

    Contact Us