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The First Year Experience Program
The First Year Experience (FYE) supports CEHD Freshmen from Welcome Week, through fall and spring semesters, and builds pathways to majors in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Academic courses, career development, academic advising, special events, and a focus on building peer networks create a strong sense of community and belonging for students.
FYE components
First Year Inquiry (FYI) course: FYI brings students together with instructors from different disciplines to address the question, “How Can One Person Make a Difference?” Students in this writing intensive class develop college level skills in multiple areas including communication, research-based inquiry, and participation strategies for large lecture and smaller discussion-based classes.
Writing Intensive requirement: FYI fulfills a Writing Intensive (WI) requirement. Students receive writing support and instruction that builds the foundation for college success across disciplines.
A Common Question: How Can One Person Make a Difference? This question invites students to consider the responsibilities and possibilities that individuals have to shape the world we live in.
CEHD Reads Common Book: Each year all FYI students read a common book. The book’s author comes to class to speak with students, and family and the public are invited to an evening event with the author. In addition the college hosts multiple events around the author visit and common book. Common books selected include An Ordinary Man in 2008, A Lesson Before Dying in 2009, and Prisoner of Tehran in 2010.
FYI Capstone Showcase: FYI student work culminates in a group project connected to the question, “How Can One Person Make a Difference?” Student work is publicly presented and celebrated at the end of fall semester at the Capstone Showcase. Past projects have included photo narratives, presentations, posters, performances, and videos.
Learning Communities: All first-year CEHD students enroll in a Learning Community (LC) spring semester. A Learning Community connects two classes from different disciplines with shared questions, assignments, or events. In LCs students continue to develop academic and interpersonal skills while fulfilling liberal education requirements.
More Information
Student views on CEHD (student blogs)
“I really enjoy the fact that this FYI class is a writing intensive course. That has really helped me develop my writing skills that has in turn helped me in all of the other classes I am taking. I also really enjoy the idea that the course is multidisciplinary. It has exposed me to a variety of different courses that I will be able to take in the future. Further, it has helped me gain a better picture of who I am. It helps me realize that I am a bigger part of society than I thought.”
Revised March 2010