By Gloria Hubbell Corena and Camille Albert
Welcome Week 2026: A Chance to Get Connected at College of Marin
The first weeks of a new semester can be a lot to take in. New classes, new schedules, new faces and, for students just starting college, a whole campus to figure out. At College of Marin, Welcome Week is designed to make that transition a little easier and a little more fun.
Welcome Week 2026 runs from Monday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 4, with activities throughout the week that give students opportunities to meet people, learn about campus resources, and get familiar with the programs available to them.
Rather than being just one event, Welcome Week brings together different departments and programs across the college. Students can stop by events even if they are only on campus for a class or have a few minutes between commitments.
Monday, Aug. 31
Welcome Week begins with the Comchella Welcome Week Kick-Off, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The event is a chance for students to start the week together, meet other students, and learn more about what College of Marin has to offer.
Tuesday, Sept. 1
On Tuesday, students can visit the Library Open House from 12 to 2 p.m. The open house offers students a chance to become more familiar with the library and the resources available to help with their coursework.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
Wednesday has several opportunities for students to learn about different campus services.
The day starts with Coffee and Treats from 9 to 11 a.m., giving students a chance to grab refreshments and connect with others on campus.
From 12:40 to 1:30 p.m., students can attend the MESA Open House and learn more about the program and its support for students.
Students can also learn about Psychological Services, which provides mental health and wellness resources. The schedule also includes “Write On!” The Reading and Writing Lab Experience introduces students to academic support available through the college’s reading and writing resources.
Thursday, Sept. 3
Thursday features an EOPS and Student Support Programs Open House from 12 to 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for students to learn more about support programs and the services available to help them succeed in college.
Friday, Sept. 4
Welcome Week wraps up with College of Marin Athletics games. Students can come out and support the Mariners while getting to know the college’s athletic community.
Games are scheduled throughout the day, including events at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For new students especially, Welcome Week can be a good opportunity to do something fun and easy during the rush of starting classes: get to know the college beyond the classroom. Whether that means meeting someone new at an event, discovering a resource you did not know existed, or simply finding a place on campus where you feel comfortable, the week is meant to help students get settled.
And returning students can benefit too. College changes from semester to semester, and Welcome Week is a chance to reconnect with campus and discover programs or services that may be new to them.
So if you see a Welcome Week sign around campus, take a look at the schedule. You may find something that helps make the first week of Fall 2026 feel a little more like home.
Photographs courtesy of The Mariner Times journalist Camille Albert