Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service
Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service

First-Year Orientation to Community Involvement

FOCI participant gather on the steps of Healy Hall for a group photo.
FOCI participants huddle together on a soccer field after a game.
FOCI participants stand together for a group photo.
Four FOCI participants lay on a picnic blanket shoulder-to-shoulder, smiling.
FOCI leaders under the CSJ tent at the Georgetown front gates share information on the program.
FOCI participants stand in front of the Washington monument during sunset.
More information about all of Georgetown’s pre-orientation programs is here.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Apply to serve as a FOCI Program Leader

The Center for Social Justice invites current Georgetown undergraduate students to serve in the FOCI 2025 Leader Team. The Leader Team will mentor and guide the students as they engage in meaningful community service; discover and reflect on the diverse perspectives and roles of people in the Georgetown and Washington, DC communities; develop the capacity for leadership; and become part of a community committed to personal growth through social justice. Leaders will participate in and facilitate difficult conversations to advance antiracism, approach solidarity, understand privilege, and build skills and grow to advance social justice. Apply before 11:59 pm on Sunday, December 8.

Questions?

Check our FAQs or email CSJ Deputy Director, Ray Shiu.

Read more about the FOCI Leader Team role and responsibilities here.

Information Sessions

Testimonials

“Leading FOCI the past three years has created a community at Georgetown that I could have never imagined finding — being able to meet so many wonderful people in the leader team, throughout DC, and in the FOCIans has provided me friendships, mentors, and opportunities for amazing shared experiences. I also found so much value in learning about justice through the centering of community leaders and organizers across DC, gaining a huge appreciation for the city and a desire to be more engaged off of Georgetown’s campus. I really recommend leading FOCI if you’re interested in finding a community of people with similar interests and values as you, and have the desire to practice leadership and mentorship skills in the justice sphere!”

–Miray (CAS’25)

“FOCI is and has been an incredible and intentional home on campus for me for three consecutive years. Similar to other peer leaders, I did not participate in FOCI as a FOCIan myself, and yet, engaging with the FOCI program as a leader has been one of my proudest and most exciting journeys in my college time. Through FOCI, I have enjoyed a deeper engagement with the Center for Social Justice, the development of incredible friendships and community, and confirmation in my aspiration to become a future educator and teacher. FOCI is fun, innovative, and a catalyst of endless growth, and I am proud to recommend it to anyone ready to show up for and work alongside our campus, our DC community, and our world.”

–Caed (CAS’25)

Incoming First-Year Students

The 2024 Pre-Orientation Programs application will open on Monday, May 6, 2024. Students will be able to access the application by clicking the button below.  Applications will close on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Apply to Pre-Orientation Programs

The Center for Social Justice invites incoming first-year and transfer students to join Georgetown’s longest-running pre-orientation program. A group of 40 first-year students arrive on campus to spend six days working together in the larger DC community with 14 student leaders experienced in community service and committed to social justice issues. Throughout the week, FOCIans engage in a series of reflections to explore issues of social justice, social responsibility, and identity. FOCI ends immediately prior to the beginning of Georgetown’s New Student Orientation, in which all first-year students participate. All interested incoming first-year students are encouraged to apply. Past service experience is not a prerequisite. Email CSJ’s Deputy Director, Ray Shiu with questions.

Questions? Email CSJ’s Deputy Director, Ray Shiu.

FOCI 2024 co-captains

whiite woman with red hair pulled back smiling

Elspeth Campbell (CAS’26)
Elspeth is a member of the Class of 2026 of the College of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Economics. She participated in FOCI 38 as an incoming first-year student and served as a leader for FOCI 39 and the Bridges to Social Justice Academy in summer 2023. Outside of her involvement with the Center for Social Justice (CSJ), Elspeth is a member of the Georgetown University Ballroom Dance Team and Contemporary Choir, and writes for the Voice and the Indy. Elspeth is excited to serve as a co-captain for FOCI 40 before moving to the United Kingdom to study at the London School of Economics during the 2024-2025 academic year.

black woman with red braids, wearing a white blouse with red cherries

Kayla Barnes (C’26)
Kayla is a member of the Class of 2026 of the School of Foreign Service, majoring in Culture and Politics and minoring in Italian. She is originally from Columbia, South Carolina. She has been involved with the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) as a FOCIan for FOCI 38 and as a team leader for FOCI 39. Outside of the CSJ, Kayla serves as the Business Operations Manager of the Georgetown GraceNotes and the Black Leadership Forum Representative for GU Women of Color. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching reality TV, exploring DC with friends, playing Connections, and taking absurd BuzzFeed quizzes.

Participant Testimonials 

“FOCI was an incredible way to start off Georgetown! I am truly grateful to my mentors for exposing me to DC, its history, and its social justice issues. It’s a warm community that will never leave you and continues to grow as you meet upperclassmen FOCIans and (soon for me) incoming FOCIans!!”

– Gina K., FOCI 34 participant

“FOCI was one of the best experiences of my life. Before most people even arrived on campus, I had formed bonds through service with individuals who were in many ways so different but who all shared a commitment to service and justice. Many of my closest friends remain FOCIans, and they have consistently had my back long past FOCI week itself ended.”

– Leigh B., FOCI 33 participant

“FOCI was the perfect way to start my Georgetown career. I was introduced to an entire community that challenged my thoughts and ideals in the best ways imaginable and I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in it every day since.”

– Matt R., FOCI 33 participant

“FOCI has been an experience that has truly shaped my time at Georgetown. It has re-framed my thinking on how to work with (instead of for) the community, and it has given me hope for how to promote social justice both in DC and wherever life takes me next!”

– Kelly K., FOCI 28 participant

“FOCI was the beginning of my transition into the most rewarding, stressful, and challenging time of my life. FOCI taught me, encouraged me, and forced me to ask meaningful questions, some of which I’m still trying to answer. You get to choose how much FOCI ultimately impacts you. I opened myself up to everything it had to offer and have not regretted it for a single moment since.”

– Anthony S., FOCI 30 participant