The First Year Experience is one of three embedded experiences that is built into the GC curriculum. To “Complete your journey,” for First Year Experience, students need to complete their GCSU 0001 (FYAS) and GC1Y courses.
Evaluation Plan and measures: Focus groups and feedback session
KPIs: raise first to second year retention
Baseline measure (for each KPI): 2023-2024 retention – 82.4%
Current/most recent data (for each KPI): (2024-25 - 83.4% retention rate, 1% increase from 2023-24)
Goal or targets (for each KPI): To increase FY retention rates.
Continue to make moderate curriculum adjustments with emphasis on engaging class activities and opportunities in the class. Attend First Year Seminar Institute in Columbia, SC and Annual Conference on the First Year Experience to research best student success practices.
Continue to improve course size by grouping students with clusters of aligned majors, interest or compatible discipline within colleges.
A deliberate effort is going to be made to lower the average class size for the course (Targeting 25 students).
Recruit and select at least 40 First Year Guides for 2025-26. Current student staff size is 32 FYGs. Most FYGs are currently assigned to 3 sections. The goal is to increase student staff and assign them to two FYAS sections.
Enhance Fall Training week for First Year Guides to include classroom engagement and student success strategies.
Staffing and support for faculty overloads.
