In both the workplace and school there are regulation governing “Unwanted Touching” called EEO Regulations so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable about not shaking hands.
There are only three sins that you should be killed rather than commit: 1) worship idols 2) murder another Jew 3) commit an immoral act with the opposite sex. Touching is prohibited by the sages and would fall under this last category. If on the other hand the choice was between eating ham and living or keeping kosher and dying you should eat the ham and live. Likewise if you had a choice of work on Shabbos and live or keep the Shabbos and die you should work on Shabbos.
You are going to college which is a sea of knowledge, be careful that you are not swept away by a riptide from your Jewish heritage.