Compass laying on archival world map

Centre Compass Program

For Centre students, a world of opportunity awaits — and the Centre Compass Program is here to guide your first steps.

Want to get a head-start on your Centre journey? Would you like to meet and connect with other incoming first-year students before arriving on campus for the first-time on move-in day? Curious to learn more about some of the unique ways Centre creates personalized and extraordinary undergraduate experiences for students? Or, maybe you’d simply like the opportunity to meet and interact with some of Centre’s incredible Faculty, Staff, and Upper Administrative leadership. Well, you’ve come to the right place! 

Compass is designed with the incoming first-year/first-time Centre College student in mind. Through interactive workshops and activities, students build skill and capacity around college-level critical thinking, initiative, innovation, creative problem-solving, and communication – all necessary tools for success at Centre, in your professional career, and beyond. 

Program Dates: July 13-19, 2025
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ACT Prep

Improve your ACT score and your academic skills with intentional practice, collaborative learning, and strategies for thinking like a test-writer!

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CentreWorks

artwork and text for ACT Prep Course
Featured Event

ACT Prep

Improve your ACT score and your academic skills with intentional practice, collaborative learning, and strategies for thinking like a test-writer!

-

CentreWorks

artwork and text for ACT Prep Course
Featured Event

ACT Prep

Improve your ACT score and your academic skills with intentional practice, collaborative learning, and strategies for thinking like a test-writer!

-

CentreWorks

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Program Details

What is Leadership?

Each day of the program will be focused on one leadership skill set. Typical days will include multiple interactive sessions and activities. Sessions may include topics and activities such as, individual and group leadership, communication skills, academic success, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and creative problem solving and innovation.

Register for the Compass Program

Why Should You Participate In The Centre Compass Program?  

  • To learn critical skills for success both in and out of the classroom.
  • To get a head start on familiarizing yourself with campus and the Danville community.
  • To obtain additional, ongoing mentorship opportunities during your first year in college.
  • To list the program as a credential on your resume for future jobs and graduate schools.
  • To connect with other ongoing leadership programs. 
  • To gain a group of new friends who will challenge and support you during your four years on campus.
  • To make a positive impact on our community and the world.
  • To connect with student mentors (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior).
  • To become intentional about your time on campus and make the most of your Centre education.
     

Cost and Important Details

The program fee of $1000 covers: food, housing, excursions, instruction materials for the week, and a program t-shirt. Please note: limited financial need-based scholarships are available for qualifying applicants.

To secure a spot, a $100 non-refundable deposit is due on (or before) Monday, June 9, 2025. The remaining Compass Program balance must be paid in-full on (or before) Monday, July 7, 2025.

Students who receive financial aid at Centre may qualify for whole or partial aid. Scholarships are also available for first-generation College students. When registering, please indicate if you would like to be considered for a scholarship or partial financial aid.

Students will be notified of admission on a rolling basis. To check on admission status, please email program director Jessica Chisley at jessica.chisley@centre.edu.

All program participants will reside on campus in a dormitory with trained and qualified Resident Assistants (RAs), who are current Centre students.  For accommodation requests, please reach out to program Directors: Jessica Chisley and Alex Wright.

No. Spots are considered “reserved” once the $100 non-refundable deposit has been submitted (on or before Monday, June 9th). Until the deposit is received, registration is considered a notice of interest, but enrollment into the program is not guaranteed. Registration is considered “official” (and complete) once the full remaining balance is submitted (on or before Monday, July 7th).

Indicate you would like to be considered for a scholarship or partial financial aid on the registration form. Students who receive financial need-based aid at Centre may qualify for whole or partial aid. 

Limited scholarships may also be available for First-Generation college students. When registering, please indicate on the registration form if you are a first-generation and if you would like to be considered for a scholarship or partial financial aid.

Rides from the Lexington airport, bus or train station will be provided, if necessary. Please request a ride as soon as long-distanced travel arrangements have been made. Travel requests may be made to Co-Director Alex Wright.

• Students accepted into the program should plan to check-in on campus between 2:00 pm (14:00) and 4:00 pm (16:00) EST on Sunday, July 13th.

• Students may check-out and depart campus on the morning of Saturday, July 19th.

• All participants are required to reside for the duration of the program, on-campus, in the campus dormitory.

• Participants will be assigned a roommate for the week. However, accommodations for a single-room occupancy may be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To submit a housing accommodation request, please reach out to program Directors: Jessica Chisley and Alex Wright. 

  • Spending money (optional)
  • Bed linens and towels
  • Summer clothes (including long pants for potential service project) 
  • One light jacket (optional) 
  • Toiletries
  • Prescription medication
  • Copy of medical insurance card
  • One nice outfit for the final banquet

Typical amenities include laundry facilities, fitness center access, and (in some cases) kitchen/cooking facilities.

 

At this time, due to Visa and travel challenges, the Compass Program is unable to accommodate International Students who currently reside outside of the United States. International Students residing within the U.S. may be able to participate. 

What Participants Had To Say About The Program 

“Compass is a program that gives you almost like a backstage pass to what it feels like to be a Centre Student before the rest of your class. I would very much recommend it to incoming students for it made me fall I love with Centre all the more, giving me the confidence of knowing the campus, the experience of engaging in the Danville community, and the wonderful opportunity of connecting with the faculty and making great, lasting friendships.”

— Hesed Payocong

 

 

“This program was nothing short of amazing. I made lasting friendships, learned more about Centre than I possibly could have during an overnight visit, and learned more about myself as a leader, and what kind of strengths I can bring to a group setting.”

— Evan Miller

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