First Year Scholars Program

1. First Year Scholars Program Helping Students Succeed! New Mexico State University

2. Overview: • What is the First Year Scholars Program • What are FYSP’s responsibilities and goals • Who are First Year Scholars • How First Year Scholars fits into the larger NMSU community • Why is this program important to the health and welfare of students New Mexico State University

3. What is the FYSP? From the: Administrative Perspective • The First Year Scholars Program is a two-semester comprehensive learning experience designed to help the student smoothly transition into the new environment. • Students are mentored by peer educators and take part in a wide array of activities designed to promote first year college success. • Adjusting to college and making the learning experience comprehensive is split into two components - Academic and Social. New Mexico State University

4. What is the FYSP? From the: Student Perspective • FYSP advising is for academic preparation and social “stability” • a refuge • a place to make friends • a platform for beginning a career • a place for them to be honest with themselves and others • an opportunity to own ones “mistakes” and learn from them New Mexico State University

5. FYSP’s Responsibilities and Goals: Responsibilities Goals • Take the first year student & ensure they become Sophomores • Have students learn from their mistakes the first time • or at least the second time • Maintain open dialogue with students • When student are in need we want them to know we are here • Provide sound academic advising • It must be relevant to the individual student • Provide positive intervention and solutions • Students will be irresponsible • Facilitate social interaction • We help students find their social base New Mexico State University

6. Who are First Year Scholars? - There is no typical First Year Scholar. They all have one thing in common. They are students. • This point is Lost sometimes because of the name of the program. But, the services that FYSP provides have helped juniors and seniors who comment that they wish they had known about this program earlier Students New Mexico State University

7. How does FYS fit into the larger NMSU community? • Academically: • FYSP allows students to make mistakes and learn from them within the first two semesters. • At the end of the two semesters the students will be fully functional as college students. • There are very few students who are instantly ready for college and FYSP is structured as a buffer zone for all student levels in all majors. The First Year Scholars Program makes NMSU better by providing students with a toolbox that they carry with them throughout their academic career. New Mexico State University

8. How does FYS fit into the larger NMSU community? • Socially: • According to statistical data, students that are involved in school activities and student organizations have a higher retention rate and so Gamma Sigma Chi is there to fill that space when students come to NMSU. • It is an “honor” society that any student can join and the point is to create a social situation that provides an instant group of friends and worthwhile activities. Retaining students is a lot easier when they are equipped to be there and are having fun. New Mexico State University

9. Why is FYSP important to the health and welfare of NMSU students? • Aside from the Academic and Social there is the Personal. • It can’t be measured and the subjects are not often openly discussed. • Examples: Pregnancy, STD’s, alcohol abuse, rape, survivors of molestation, disabilities, poverty, domestic abuse, and culture shock are just some of the situations that have been brought to our attention in the first four weeks of the 2009 Spring semester. New Mexico State University