EPS 101 & FYE 101 Northern Arizona University

First Year Seminars... Freshmen Success hinges on:  Developing academic & intellectual competence  Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships  Developing identity  Making career decisions & life-style choices  Maintaining personal health & wellness First--Year Seminars:  EPS 101: Academic & Personal Development  FYE 101: First Year Experience Seminar

EPS 101: Administratively Faculty Coordinator from Educational Psychology ~12 GA instructors Department Resources

Overview of EPS 101 Primary focus on learning and study skills Somewhat interactive 3 credit course Taught in small sections of 20 to 25 students Required for conditionally admitted students who did not meet the aptitude requirements for admissions Course topics include academic, navigational, and life skills

EPS 101 Nuts & Bolts Three credit Grade Bearing Taught by Graduate Assistants in Educational Psychology Course meets for 15 weeks

Course Structure Classes meet twice a week All semester Each class meeting is 1 hr, 10 min long

Graduate Assistants Attend Fall Training Teach provided Curriculum Teach two sections Office Hours, 2 per week Participate in Summer Reading Assist with Welcome Weekend Activities Compensation  Assistantship (~$9,000 for 9 months)  Teaching Experience

FYE 101 Administratively Freshmen Academic Programs  Part of Undergraduate Studies FYE 101 Coordinator Two 20 hour GA’s Student worker ~35 Peer Mentors

Overview of FYE 101 Freshmen Seminar with an Extended Orientation Focus Taught in small sections of 20 to 25 students designed to assist new students in making their transition to college Course topics include academic, navigational, and life skills topics

FYE 101 Nuts & Bolts One credit Grade Bearing Course meets 15 times during the semester Taught by Upper-division, Undergraduate Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors Teach two sections of FYE 101 Office Hours, 2 per week Attend Spring Training  Curriculum Development  First-Year Students  Higher Education  Vista

Peer Mentors Participate in Summer Reading Assist with Welcome Weekend Activities Compensation  Paid $700 to $800 Stipend  Move into Residence Halls early in Fall  Leadership Experience  Enroll in Fieldwork course in College Teaching

FYE Course Structure Each class meeting is 50 minutes long Each class meets:  Twice a week for the first month  Once a week during the second month  Individual office meetings with students during the third month

FYE Themes Are designed to:  Make course material more meaningful Capitalize on existing interests, hobbies, activities Motivate them with personal relevance  Encourage community building  Stronger focus on identity development  Keep students more engaged

Identity Development Foundational Course Questions: 1.Who am I? 2.Where did I come from? 3.How do I matter? Real College (textbook)

FYE Themes Relationships “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” Flagstaff “Beyond the Pines” Health “Self-Empowerment” Recreational and Outdoor Sports “Get in the Game”

More FYE Themes... Arts and Crafts “Idle Hands” Meaning & Purpose “This I Believe.... I think” Entrepreneurship “The American Dream... Where do I get mine?” Career Exploration “The Future is Out There... But Where?” Traditional FYE Fall 2007 title pending.....

Theme Structure (aspirational) Block Scheduling Team & Theme Curriculum Development Guest Speakers  Theme Specific  Foundational Course Questions Faculty Integration Out of Class experiences Readings & Topics Service Learning Coupons

Assessment  Seminar Participant Outcomes:  Retention  Cumulative GPA  Academic Standing  Course Experience  Course evaluations (FYE & EPS)  Instruction Support Program (FYE only) Peer Mentor Self-Evaluation FYE 101 Student Assessment of Peer Mentors Classroom Observations by Leadership Team

Final Thoughts Questions?..... Concerns? Ideas?