this year’s theme:

By transporting first years to a garden of limitless possibilities, we will redefine growth through an exploration of identity and establishment of belonging. The roots we lay and nurture can lead to growth in non-visible and untraditional ways, such as emotional, community, and inner growth. Rooted Futures will teach students to plant seeds of intersectionality and grow downward roots, establishing foundations for vertical growth through the development of support systems built in solidarity, resilience, and an understanding of the systems of power that are a part of our interconnected roots. We will build upon a rooted foundation of identity, community, and intersectionality in order to spring students into dreaming beyond their highest expectations for themselves, pushing the limit of what they can grow into. 

Rooted Futures hopes to demystify growth and challenge students to think about their futures as more than a sum of their achievements or separate parts. By shifting our perspective surrounding growth, students will unearth their identity and interconnectedness with the world around them, fertilizing their ability to break beyond their perceived possibilities. Like the concept of infinity, which knows no bounds in time, space, or any other dimension, students will leave with the understanding that they too, as students of different identities, have limitless potential for growth in their identity, academics, communities, passions, and ability to change the world around them. 

This Year’s Artist:

This year’s logo artist is Mia Kei Cheng, a RISD illustration student. Mia loves all things nature and growth and was inspired by the idea of notonly growing and blossoming upwards, but also growing downwards into our roots. More of her work can be found on her website miakc.cargo.site or @7leafo on Instagram.

Program Dates

Friday, August 23 - Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Check-in location

68 Brown Street Providence, RI 02906

Application EXTENDED!

Sunday, July 21, 2025

Upcoming Info Session:

Parent & Family Webinar

Thursday, August 8, 2024

12:00 - 1:15 pm EST

Zoom Details to Come

Schedule example

Key Moments

President’s Dinner

Multiethnic Dinner

Keynote Presentation

BIPOC Faculty Panel