Campus buzzed with a little more life this Monday, June 23, as 584 incoming first-year students began their first full week of summer programming at Georgia Tech.
Tech offers robust summer start options, including Ignite and Challenge, which begin their first full week today. Students in both programs can come to live on campus while completing summer coursework and engaging in other cohort activities to learn about life at Tech.
Scenes from Ignite move-in activities on Friday, June 20, 2025. Photos by Allison Carter.
Ignite
The Ignite Summer Launch Program supports 492 first-year students this summer as they take 6-7 credit hours in the late summer short session.
Ignite offers the opportunity to earn credit and acclimate to campus ahead of the busy fall semester. Additionally, faculty and staff assist students in finding resources, mentorship, and building a strong support system.
“Ignite offers incoming first-year students an incredible chance to ease into life at Tech—both socially and academically. Through engaging activities, mentorship, and early exposure to campus resources, students begin building the confidence and connections that will support them throughout their college journey,” said Erik Johnson, assistant director for Ignite. “We’re proud to offer an experience that not only benefits every Ignite participant, but also reaffirms their choice to become part of the Yellow Jacket community.”
Students can either commute or live on campus during the five-week program. Those who opted to live on campus moved in on Friday, June 20, to Glenn and Towers Residence Halls.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know people and campus this summer,” said Lily Gamel, neuroscience major and Ignite participant from Dallas, Georgia, as she unpacked.
Ignite is a program within the Office of Experiential and Engaged Learning, part of the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success. For more information about Ignite, visit their website.
Challenge
Challenge Summer welcomed 92 students to campus on Saturday, June 21. Challenge students live in Towers Residence Hall on campus and preview Georgia Tech classes without an impact to their GPA.
The seven ‘C’s’ that drive the focus of the Challenge program are computer science, chemistry, calculus, communication, career development, cultural competency, and community service. These core values guide students as they engage in academic and social experiences on campus and in the city of Atlanta.
“Our goal is to welcome students to Georgia Tech in an environment driven by personal and professional development, helping them set goals and expectations for their fall term,” said Jelani Liddell, assistant director for outreach initiatives and Challenge program director. “It’s the perfect program to get those college nerves out, try out different techniques for studying and learning, and focus on building skills before fall.”
The six-week program encourages students to build hands-on experience through workshops, apprenticeships, and short-term internships, while simultaneously building familiarity with campus and the resources available to students.
Kelley Collier IV, a fourth-year computer science major who participated in Challenge as a first-year student, is returning to Challenge as a mentor this summer. He’s looking forward to encouraging students to pursue the same growth he did in the program.
“When it comes to the Challenge Program, the thing I’m most excited for is meeting all the participants and fostering experiences similar to ones I had in the program,” said Collier. “I made so many wonderful friends and created so many memories when I was a participant. Overall, it provided a vast amount of benefit to my college journey, and I want that exact same thing for all the participating students this year.”
Challenge Summer is a program within the Office of Student Achievement, part of the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Success. Their website is coming this fall.