FYSM (First-Year Seminar)

Key Goals for First-Year Seminar and Engagement Grant:

  • Reduce the number of DFW grades in first-year courses and especially FYSM (Fall 2023 = 17%) 
  • Provide FYSM instructors with professional development and materials to introduce all incoming students to undergraduate opportunities early in their KU career 
  • Increase students’ engagement with high-impact practices (for example, skills, awareness, and opportunities to conduct research) 

First-Year Seminar Program Goals include:  

  • Awakening intellectual curiosity 
  • Enhancing skills for academic success 
  • Strengthening connections to the university 
  • Engaging students in meaningful academic and non-academic activities 
  • Enhancing student accountability for their education 
  • Encouraging academic and social ties with faculty 
  • Providing a setting for peers to build an educational learning community  

              Jamelske, E. (2009). Measuring the impact of a university first-year experience program on student GPA and retention. Higher Education, 57, 373-391. 

              First-Year Engagement and Empowerment Workshop

              Conducted by On Course LLC in August 2024 provided a toolbox of nearly 100 strategies on how to:  

              1. Engage students to learn more deeply.

              2. Empower students to become active, responsible, and successful learners who thrive in a learner-centered environment. 

              Attendees walked away with access to a toolbox of best practices, case studies, and other discipline-relevant strategies to enhance their courses and interactions with students. Feedback and top tools to put in use:

              Feedback said workshop was successful, ongoing, and energetic. Strategies included a toolbox using value line, case study and one-minute paper.