First-Year Experience Programming
First-year students face unique academic and social barriers during their transition to campus, which can hinder their retention. First-year experience (FYE) programs at the profiled institutions seek to increase student retention through increased support. This resource profiles initial orientation and post-orientation programming, including first-year seminars, living-learning communities, and mentor programs. Additionally, it looks at program development and evaluation, staffing, and student and faculty engagement.
Integrate FYE programming into a holistic experience
To create a holistic experience for first-year students, administrators should create a purposeful array of programming that ensues social connectedness in among students and boosts first-year student retention. Staff at Institution A, Institution B, Institution C, Institution D, and Institution E integrate between three and five new-student (i.e., orientation), academic, and residential programs within their broader FYE. For example, both Institution A and Institution C incorporate a mentorship program into their first-year seminar courses to help first-year students connect with upperclassmen. Acting together, FYE programs can tackle retention concerns through deep, coordinated academic and social supports.
Provide on- and off-campus orientation programming for first-year students
On- and off-campus orientation programming introduces first-year students to the campus, student services, and their peers. All profiled institutions offer orientation programming to familiarize first-year students with campus and available student support services. In addition to focusing on campus supports, off-campus orientation programming at Institution B, Institution C, and Institution E emphasize establishing social connectedness through peer relationships. By offering peer support, staff members ensure students cultivate social connectedness with the institution, thus improving retention as well. These relationships instill a sense of belonging among first-year students at the very beginning of their college careers.
Outdoor activity trip leader selection and training at Institution B
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Select co-leader
First, interested students select another student to co-lead the trip with them. The interview consists of a standard list of six questions, linked to characteristics or values of the outdoor activity trip (e.g., building community across groups, embracing positive leadership).
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