F irst Y ear E xperience (FYE) Student Ambassador Program

1. First Year Experience (FYE)Student Ambassador Program 2006-2007 ~ Information Session Montgomery College ~ Germantown Campus ~ Pilot Program

2. Welcome!2006-2007 FYE Student Ambassador Information Session Tyra Goodgain Coordinator, First-Year Experience (FYE) Program, Germantown ~ Debi Higbie-Holmes Director, Student-Life, Germantown

3. INFORMATION SESSION OVERVIEW • Welcome and Introductions • About The FYE Student Ambassador Program • What is the program ~History and Progress of FYE at MC ~Core Elements of FYE • Goals of The FYE Student Ambassador Program • Role of the FYE Student Ambassador

4. Overview (Continued) • Benefits of being a FYE Student Ambassador • Required Qualifications • Student Ambassador Training • How To Apply • What Happens Next

5. About the FYE Student Ambassador Program The Student Ambassador program will serve as a campus-specific pilot initiative under the First-Year Experience (FYE) at Montgomery College, Germantown campus during the 2006-2007 academic year. The Counseling and Advising Department collaborated with The Office of Student Life to develop the Student Ambassador program based on the vision and goals of the First-Year Experience program. In Fall 2006 the Germantown First-Year Experience team applied for and were awarded a Make It Happen! Innovation Grant to implement the Student Ambassador program. The purpose of this initiative is to help facilitate the transition and adjustment of new students to their college experience at MC in and outside of the classroom. This will be accomplished by providing positive peer role models and on-going support to First-Year students by fostering support in academic performance and social development.

6. What Is the First-Year Experience (FYE) Program? ….a series of orientation activities and courses to help students ease into the demands of college life. FYE helps students connect with their professors, counselors, and peers, and prepares them for academic success at Montgomery College...and beyond!

7. FYE at MC: History & Progress • Fall 2004: A credit course, either DS 107 (College Survival) & DS 104 ) Seminar for International Students ) is offered as the “cornerstone” of the FYE program. • In Fall 2006: FYE will be a comprehensive, College-Wide program that consists of A series if Orientation Activities, Programs and courses.

8. The 5 Core Elements of FYE at MC • Academic Advising & Counseling • New Student Orientation (NSO) • FYE Seminars & Alternative Course Offerings • Development of an Education Plan • FYE Activities & Resources

9. Goals of The FYE Student Ambassador Program • Provide On-going guidance, support and encouragement for new students entering a new environment or experience. • Encourage the development of meaningful relationships with faculty, staff and administrators. • Provide Networking and the development of one-to-one relationships with peers. • Positively affect the feeling of connectedness to the college and increase opportunities for student success and retention.

10. Role of the FYEStudent Ambassador To Help facilitate the transition of first-Year Students by… • Participating in New Student Orientation (NSO) • Participating in Welcome Week • Assisting in facilitating classroom presentations in FYE seminars • Assisting in facilitating FYE workshops • Promoting and participate in FYE activities • Serving as advocates and mentors

11. Role of The FYE Student Ambassador Cont. “The peer educator role is a valuable experience for most college students. For some it will last a year or two, for others it will chart new career objectives and lifelong personal change.” Ender, S. & Newton, F. (2000. p.1). Students Helping Students. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco

12. Benefits of Being a FYE Student Ambassador ~ A unique opportunity to work with and develop cultivating relationships with MC students, faculty and staff • Development of leadership, mentoring and teaching skills • Valuable work experience • A semester stipend of $500

13. Benefits Continued… • Increased self-awareness • Greater awareness of campus resources • Letters of recommendation for transfer and employment opportunities • Resume enhancement • Development of a co-curricular portfolio

14. Required Qualifications ~Must be enrolled at MC ~ Must have completed 12 credit hours at MC ~ Must be in good academic standing ~ Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better ~ Must be able to make at least a 1 year commitment

15. FYE Student AmbassadorTraining Programs • Orientation Session • Spring Retreat & Team Building • Weekly Group Meetings which includes: • Leadership Development • Teaching/Classroom Training • Mentoring Techniques

16. How to Apply • Attend a FYE Student Ambassador Information Session • Complete a FYE Student Ambassador Application packet • Provide one letter of recommendation from a MC faculty or staff member • Submit application by deadline

17. What Happens Next ? ~Application review ~ Interviews & Selection ~ Notification of final status via mail ~ Orientation ~ Retreat ~ On-going Training

18. Thanks for your interest! 2006-2007 FYE Student Ambassadors Montgomery College ~ Germantown