Behind the Scenes at Markell Fresh Fest: A Warm Welcome to New Jewish Students at University of Delaware
Hillels across North America are welcoming first-year and returning Jewish students to campus for the new academic year. Programs like bagel brunches and Fresh Fests help first-year students find a community at Hillel from the moment they set foot on campus. These programs offer more than just early move-in and a place to connect with other Jewish students — they’re a way to start the year surrounded by encouragement, support, and safety, in environments where students can be their fullest and proudest selves.
At the Hillel of the University of Delaware (Hillel at UD), Markell Fresh Fest has been a time-honored tradition for more than 20 years, giving Jewish students a chance to get a head start on their college experience through community meals, campus tours, activities like a carnival and wellness tips, and plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make friends. This year’s Markell Fresh Fest was the largest Fresh Fest in Hillel at UD history, and the Student Executive Board made it all possible.
“Markell Fresh Fest 2025 was such an exciting way to kick off the semester for new Blue Hens. Between the big social moments like our family barbeque and night carnival and the more practical pieces like major-based campus tours and a College 101 panel, there really was something for everyone. We wrapped it all up with a very special closing ceremony and Shabbat traditions that felt like the perfect end to Fresh Fest, and the perfect start to further engagement in meaningful Jewish Life at UD,” said Co-Executive Director Michelle Rosner (UD 2026).
We went behind the scenes with the student leaders and asked them to share what their Fresh Fest experiences were like and why they think Fresh Fest is so impactful for first-year students.
Co-Executive Director Michelle Rosner, UD ’26
Instagram: @michellerosner_
I participated in Fresh Fest in 2022 and had the most incredible experience. I met second-, third-, and fourth-year student leaders who became my mentors and formed friendships that defined my college experience. After attending as a participant, I knew I wanted to stay involved to help incoming freshmen have the same warm, welcoming introduction to Jewish campus life that I did.
Now, in 2025, I have the privilege of co-leading this incredible program that has truly shaped my college journey. I’m passionate about all aspects — creative marketing, inclusive outreach, engaging and exciting programming — I genuinely love it all.
Having familiar, friendly faces before the first day of classes is a major factor in helping students feel grounded and connected from the start. Fresh Fest kick-starts those friendships, and for many students, Hillel becomes the place they return to in order to see those friends again and continue building meaningful relationships throughout college.
Because of our team’s efforts, Markell Fresh Fest 2025 — with over 180 incoming freshmen participating and over 60 student leaders involved — was the largest early move-in program that Hillel at UD has ever hosted. With more Jewish first-year students involved right from the start, we’re cultivating a more diverse, enthusiastic, and connected Hillel community that will shape the tone and spirit of Jewish life on campus all year long.
Co-Executive Director Sydney Johnston, UD ’26
Instagram: @s.johnston9
When I was an incoming first-year at the University of Delaware, I was really nervous to start college because I only knew one other person who attended UD. I was worried about finding friends and navigating my way around campus. What drew me to Markell Fresh Fest was the opportunity to settle on campus early, before the rush of move-in and the first week of college.
The Markell Fresh Fest program means so much to me because it builds a sense of belonging from the second our students step on campus. Participating in Fresh Fest not only helped me better adjust to campus before classes started, it’s also where I met my future best friends and roommates. That inspired me to get involved in Fresh Fest in a leadership position to pass that experience on to incoming students.
Co-Director of Leadership Jordan Lynch, UD ’27
Instagram: @jordan._.lynch_
Before college, I was involved in the Jewish youth group BBYO, where I made longstanding friendships with other Jewish teens. Starting my first year at UD, I chose to participate in the Markell Fresh Fest program because I was drawn to having connections with other Jewish students who were also experiencing the complex transition to college life. Throughout the three-day program, I met some of my closest friends, and formed strong bonds with student leaders who continued to guide me throughout my first year.
Markell Fresh Fest allows incoming Jewish college students to come together and make lasting relationships. Coming into college and not knowing anyone can be emotionally challenging. Creating connections within Hillel helps students find their place on campus.
Co-Director of Leadership Bailey Santoro, UD ’28
Instagram: @bsantoro23
As a first-year student last year, participating in Markell Fresh Fest was truly a life-changing experience that helped lay the foundation for my success. The support, connection, and sense of belonging I felt during that time made a lasting impact on me. During this program, I found my best friends and my roommates for this upcoming school year. Additionally, I was drawn to the Jewish community that Hillel at UD offered, and wanted to add to that community. I want to bring a welcoming and safe environment to the incoming first-year students and hopefully make an impact on their early college experiences and beyond.
Markell Fresh Fest is the backbone of incoming Jewish first-years’ college experience at our university. We set up the program to promote connection between all students, including student leaders, executive board members, and the incoming students themselves. Since I didn’t grow up in a Jewish community, I wanted to find that community in college, and through Markell Fresh Fest and the opportunities and friendships I found there, that’s exactly what I discovered at Hillel.
Director of Wellness and Inclusion Becca Smoller, UD ’26
Instagram: @becca.smolls
As someone who experiences a lot of anxiety when facing new situations and new environments, I was nervous about how I would adapt to college life during my first semester at UD. I was grateful for the opportunity to participate in Markell Fresh Fest back in 2022 — when I was able to familiarize myself with campus, connect with many new people, and find an immediate community at UD even before most other students moved in.
The impact of Markell Fresh Fest lasts long beyond a student’s first few days on campus. It provides first-year students with a home to return to throughout their time at UD, and the wonderful feeling of regularly seeing familiar faces despite being on a campus of over 19,000 undergraduate students. Ultimately, Markell Fresh Fest shows Jewish students arriving at UD that they are not alone and that they can always rely on Hillel to be a space where they can express their Jewish identities and pride.
Director of Logistics Sam Auerbach, UD ’26
Instagram: @samauerbach13
I joined the Markell Fresh Fest Executive Student Board because I wanted to create a safe space for incoming first-year students in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. Both traditional and social media outlets spend a lot of time talking about antisemitism on campus, and I wanted first-year students to know that they have a space on campus where it is okay and celebrated to be Jewish.
Markell Fresh Fest allows Jewish students to meet other Jewish students, and form a bond very early on with Hillel as a community. It provides a home to Jewish students, and introduces countless opportunities for them. It shows them that there is a large Jewish presence here, and that we are here for them.
Director of Programming Kylie Gertner, UD ’26
Instagram: @kygertner
As someone who started their college career with Markell Fresh Fest in 2022, I know how important it is. Hillel means more to me than I can put into words — the community here has made me feel seen, understood, and connected more times than I can count.
Markell Fresh Fest truly gives students the opportunity to form real connections with other Jewish students and with Hillel. There is no better way to start your time at this amazing university than with the wonderful people and opportunities that Markell Fresh Fest and Hillel offer.
Director of Marketing and Outreach Hailey Bender, UD ’28
Instagram: @hailey.bender
As a rising second-year student, I feel especially connected to Markell Fresh Fest because I experienced firsthand how valuable it is just last year. I was welcomed by the warmest and most supportive upperclass students, who introduced me not only to Jewish life on campus, but also to the ins and outs of the University of Delaware. These students have become peers, mentors, and genuine friends. Markell Fresh Fest gives students the best head start at school.
Through Markell Fresh Fest, Hillel provides a welcoming environment to meet people before the pressure of class starts. These peers will become familiar faces in your classes, clubs, and organizations all over campus. Community and comfort are irreplaceable feelings that every Jewish student deserves, and Markell Fresh Fest is where it starts.