AUM’s First Year Experience helps new students make transition

The First Year Experience Program at Auburn Montgomery helps make the shift to college easier for first-year students.

The program engages new students by supporting academic excellence and providing opportunities to make connections and build friendships.

FYE hosts a meet-and-greet event that offers first-year students a fun, social opportunity during the first week of school. The program also introduces key student support services staff and allows students to network with each other and faculty. This year’s meet and greet will be held Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Taylor Center 230.

In the spring, FYE offers a year-end roundup where students give feedback about their first-year experiences at AUM.

Nikki Harrison, student advisor, has several plans for the future of the FYE program.  She said that she would like to have a mentoring program for new students to help guide them through their first year. She would also like to have several students chronicle their first-year experiences at AUM through a blog.

Harrison wants to get faculty, staff and deans involved.

“As a campus, it is all of our jobs to engage students in their first year. Every interaction that students have in their first year impacts their experience at AUM,” Harrison said.

FYE will begin a Facebook page in August to inform students and faculty of upcoming events and future plans.

June 18, 2009