Why the First-Year Seminar Matters

This book examines the critical role that the first-year seminar can play in setting the stage for student success. Authors suggest that the time is right for colleges and universities to re-imagine the first-year seminar course by increasing the focus on career exploration and decision-making and addressing key success skills students need.

Christine Harrington is a national expert in student success and teaching and learning. She has been teaching the first-year seminar for almost 20 years at Middlesex County College and is the author of a widely-used first-year seminar textbook, Student Success in College: Doing What Works! 3rd edition which is aligned to Guided Pathways. Theresa Orosz has 26 years of experience in higher education at Middlesex County College and possesses expertise in the areas of career services, academic advising, and academic and student affairs. She has 10 years of adjunct experience teaching cooperative education courses and the first-year seminar.

Foreword Melinda Karp, Founder, Phase Two Advisory Part I: Making the Case: FYE as an Essential Part of Guided Pathways Chapter 1: Guided Pathways: Helping Students Choose and Stay on a Path The Guided Pathways Movement: Why It Matters Defining Guided Pathways Chapter 2: History and Value of the First-Year Seminar Course The First-Year Seminar Course: Past, Present, and Future Data and Evidence for the First-Year Seminar Course Chapter 3: Helping Students Choose a Career Path: The Role of the First-Year Seminar Course The Career Exploration and Decision-Making Process Benefits of Career Exploration via the First-Year Seminar Course Chapter 4: Helping Students Stay on the Path: The Role of the First-Year Seminar Course Building Self-Efficacy by Utilizing Effective Learning and Study Strategies Building Grit and Resilience Part II: Practical Guide to Re-Imagining the First-Year Seminar Course within the Guided Pathways Framework Chapter 5: Re-Imagining and Strengthening the First-Year Seminar Course: The Course Re-Design Process An Introduction to Backwards Design Establishing a Course Design Team Learning Outcomes for the First-Year Seminar Course Content Assessing First-Year Seminar Learning Outcomes Ensuring Learning: Teaching Methods Sequencing: The Course Outline The Syllabus Chapter 6: Being Your Campus Champion: A 3-credit Mandatory First-Year Seminar Course for All Students Why Everyone? An Equity Issue Championing the Course to Colleagues Identifying and Training Faculty Creating Campus Excitement Appendix A: Making the Case Infographic Appendix B: Sample Syllabus About the Authors