Award-winning Warrington Welcome offered every semester

Warrington Welcome, also called GEB2015: Business and You is a one-credit course offered to first-year Business Gators beginning their journey at the Warrington College of Business. The class aims to show students how to be successful in academics, their career, leadership and global studies by maximizing the time, opportunities and resources they are provided at Warrington. 

Recently, it was recognized as the Outstanding Experiential Learning Program Extending Beyond the Classroom at the UF Faculty and Staff Career Symposium. The class received the honor for its exponential growth and participation; its strategic innovation and planning; and its commitment to service and community. 

This year, over 50 sections of the course will be offered from Monday to Thursday. There are also specialized courses available for students in PaCE, the Honors Program and Innovation Academy. 

Over 70% of first-year business students choose to enroll in Warrington Welcome, the Heavener School of Business’s signature first-year experience course. In their first semester, students are introduced to essential campus resources, community-building opportunities and the foundation of their career development. 

They also complete Level One of the Gator Ready program, which focuses on building core career competencies and gives students a measurable head start in making the most of their time at Warrington.

The class is led by a professional staff member and an upper-level business student called a peer leader. 

Previous Warrington Welcome participant and current Executive Director Lara Brennan (BSBA ’26) found that the class allowed her to get acquainted with all of what Warrington and the University of Florida have to offer. 

“It was super intimidating coming to UF as an out of state student, but Warrington Welcome was a great opportunity that got me on campus, in a classroom, interacting with my peers.”

Recruitment Committee Member Holly Deutsch (BSBA ‘26) and Director Ethan Lacouty (BSBA ‘26) noted of the strong community they found in Warrington Welcome. 

“I have built strong relationships with both peers and staff within Heavener, and I have loved being part of a community that shares my passion for giving back and supporting others,” Deutsch said. 

“Warrington Welcome made the business school feel smaller,” Lacouty said. “It’s given me a sense of community, as I now know of so many people (students, staff and otherwise) that I can go to. Lastly, the class gave me a sense of direction on what path I could take.”

After taking the course last year, upcoming Peer Leader Danielle Swenson (BSBA ‘28) shared how the course helped her navigate the business school as a freshman. 

“Warrington Welcome takes the time to introduce students to the plethora of resources that Warrington offers,” Swenson said. “Because of Warrington Welcome, I was able to take advantage of these resources, and give me a sense of direction on what path I could take.”

Warrington Welcome’s impact on its students inspires many of them to return to the program as peer leaders, directors and committee members. 

“I chose to return to Warrington Welcome as a Peer Leader and then serve in director positions because I wanted to give back to a community that gave so much to me my freshman year,” Brennan said. “That feeling is extremely rewarding and there is no other opportunity on campus that even compares.”

“I chose to join the Recruitment Committee this past year because I wanted to help shape the future of the Warrington Welcome program,” Deutsch added. “Sharing my experience at various recruitment events allowed me to contribute value to the program while also helping me grow personally and develop stronger communication and leadership skills.”

Whether you’re looking to get involved, connect with other business students or grow academically, Warrington Welcome has something for everyone. 

“Taking Warrington Welcome is a great way to immerse yourself into the many opportunities Warrington has to offer,” Brennan said. “This class prioritizes interaction with your fellow classmates, which is rare for a college course and the business school, especially due to our accessible online platforms and large class sizes.”

Whether you are a freshman Business Gator about to attend Preview or have some availability during drop/add week, talk to your Preview or Academic and Career Advisor if you have any questions about enrolling. Warrington Welcome is a course you do not want to miss out on! 

“I would encourage all first year business gators to take Warrington Welcome!” Swenson said.