Saint Leo University Welcomes More than 850 New Students to Campus for Fall 2025

It was time of goodbye hugs, some tears, a few raindrops, and a lot of sweat as new and transfer students moved into Saint Leo University residence halls on Friday, August 22. The University welcomed more than 850 incoming students while returning students will arrive Saturday and Sunday (August 23-24). Classes begin on Monday, August 25, at the campus in Pasco County as well as online and at the University’s regional education centers in Florida and Savannah, GA. 

Most of Saint Leo’s new students are “home grown” with 69.6% being from Florida, while 18.8% are from other states. International students make up 11.6% of the new students. Saint Leo’s fields, courts, track, and more will be filled this year as 299 new student-athletes join the pride. 

The incoming Lions and their families found plenty of help from faculty, staff, student-athletes and coaches, spirit teams, resident assistants, and orientation leaders to unload vehicles and haul their belongings into their new home away from home. 

Radames Luna, father of new student Izayah Luna, said he is excited for his son to begin at Saint Leo. “The best part is when they asked if they could help,” he said laughing, as student-athletes and other volunteers surrounded the family’s car and carried boxes and bags to Izayah’s room. He will be majoring in business. 

Krystal Morris of Wesley Chapel, FL, admitted to being a little sad while moving her son, Sian, into his residence hall. “I am not OK,” she said. “He’s my baby.” And she said she might be crying in his room at home after she left campus. 

Isabella Hill of Naples, FL, happily unpacked items in her residence hall room. “I’m looking forward to everything,” said the pre-nursing major. Meanwhile, her dad, Marc Hill, was busy assembling items for her room. “I’m holding it together and then I’ll cry in the car later,” he said.  Isabella’s grandmother, Cassandra Hill, said she is “ready to fly like a butterfly” during her time at Saint Leo. 

Sarai Rodriguez and Kiara Clifford, both nursing students, are serving as the resident assistants for Saint Leo’s Nursing Living Learning Communities. This year, with 115 pre-nursing students arriving, the University offered two of these communities for those pursuing Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees with students living in Alumni and Roderick halls. Living Learning Communities offer an opportunity for students with shared interests to build connections beyond the classroom. Rodriguez spent the morning meeting the students and distributing notices to make sure the pre-nursing students attend their orientation session. 

The first program for the Nursing LLC will be September 2 and the RAs are calling it a “Slumber Social.” All pre-nursing and nursing students will be invited to where PJs and comfy clothing while hanging out, getting to know each other, and creating vision boards for the semester, Rodriguez said. They’re also planning trivia nights, study groups, and wellness-based programs.

“One of my main goals as a nursing RA and within the programs that I host, is to create a strong community among nursing students,” Rodriguez said. “As a senior, if I could give any advice to pre-nursing and junior nursing students, it would be to have an open mind, find friendships that will carry you through your journey, and believe that this dream was placed in your heart for a reason.” 

Daymara Pabarue of Palm Bay, FL, also will be pursuing a career in health care, as she’s majoring in biology: biomedical and health sciences and plans to become a physician. “I love the campus,” she said about Saint Leo and her decision to attend the University.

Her roommate Janiya Goodridge, who originally is from New York, but now lives in Jacksonville, was eager to attend Saint Leo to have some space. “I have a big family,” she explained. “I’m the only girl with five brothers, and I’m the oldest.” 

Advice for New Saint Leo Lions

As a senior and Student Government Union president, Luigi Meschino shared some tips for the newcomers. “Let your guard down and get to know the faculty and staff who make this place special,” said Meschino, a political science major. As someone who is involved on campus, he encouraged new (and returning) students to participate in events, clubs and organizations. “Try new and different things,” he said. “You may be shy or too occupied doomscrolling on Instagram but join your community by attending an Athletics event or come to an SGU meeting. Lastly, but the most important thing I had to learn on my own, is that being human is hard. You must find time to balance your health, relationships, and academics; otherwise, you will burn out. I pray you enjoy your time here, and I wholeheartedly wish you all the best.”