First Year Experience

Cougar Scholars:

• Targets commuter students in the murky middle
• ENGL 1101 supported by wrap around services
• Adding in FYE course + Mindset for SU/FA23

Cougar Launch

• Targets residential students in the murky middle
• Early Move In
• Wrap around academic services and social belonging activities
• Mindset Workshop New for Fall 23

Revision and updating of the (out-of-class) videos and materials that support students completing an Academic Improvement Plan. The purpose of the revision is to better connect and engage students who are at academic risk.

Redesign the third stage of the orientation process: Coastal Discovery Workshop (CDW). Inspired by the Momentum Summit V presentation on Mindset activities in FYE from Nashville State Community College, the College of Coastal Georgia will completely redesign the CDW to incorporate elements of the “You’ve Got This!” OER created by NSCC.

Redesign was completed in April 2023 and You’ve Got This launched in May 2023. This course was briefly introduced at each Summer Orientation for new first year students.

Launch of the ENDEAVOR framework of student growth and development.

To provide support services to faculty and staff engaged in student success activities.

The Learning Communities (LCs) activity provides first-year learning communities where two or more courses are linked thematically with collaborative instruction. The primary approach of the Learning Communities is to organize and leverage student success activities and campus resources while supporting and aligning to the mission of University College and our strategic plan, The Standard. Courses within a first-year learning community will develop co-curricular activities and focus on core areas as well as areas of academic performance, retention, student mindset, and degree progression.

FYSE courses of instruction. FYSE 1101 - “A seminar course focusing on contemporary and enduring questions that engage students in intellectual inquiry and academic life while encouraging critical thinking skills and metacognitive reflection.” 

Program designed to prepare associate-degree seeking students for transition to a bachelor’s program.

Designing and integrating academic success content into all sections of Area B courses, regardless of session length or modality

To combat lower graduation rates, KSU will focus on four initiatives aimed at supporting new students:

1. The President’s Focused Learner Program

The President’s Focused Learner Program (PFL) is a KSU initiative seeking to assist incoming students at risk of “Murky Middle” GPAs with their ability to navigate the academic and personal well-being factors often necessary for a student’s academic success. The PFL Program spans all majors at KSU.