Helping First Year Students Succeed

By: Aaron Vaughn, Graduate Assistant, First Year Experience Programs

First Year Experience Programs (FYEP) understands that acclimating to a new environment takes time; orientation is a process, not an event. Using this driving philosophy, we offer an extended orientation and transition programs that continue through the first two semesters of your Zag’s experience on campus. The staff at FYEP takes pride in helping students to find their niche and to support your Zags transition to Gonzaga University.

Fall semester kicks off with the How to Zag workshops where we facilitate weekly seminars on a variety of topics. This year’s workshops revolved around: academic registration, budgeting, ticketing for athletic games, and more. Each year we work to tailor these topics to new students’ needs – meaning the programming is student centered.

 

How to Zag Workshop Sessions (Monday Nights, 7-8 PM):

September Sessions All About Bulldog Bucks Intramurals How To Gonzaga Student’s Tips for Success Study Strategies	October Sessions Career Explorations Mentor/Mentee Meet & Greet Kennel Club How To
November Sessions Academic Registration Academic Registration	December Sessions Coffee Social and Students Feedback

 

 

FYEP is excited to announce a new mentor program for this upcoming Fall called ZagLink. Sophomore students in the Experiential Leadership Institute (ELI) created a proposal for the mentorship program. FYEP is working with the student team to pair upper class students with new students. These mentors will act as a guide for new students as they navigate their first year on campus.

Additionally, in the spring, in collaboration with Student Involvement & Leadership, FYEP offers a six-week program, called Spark to provide students with a safe place to explore their own experiences of transition into life at Gonzaga University. Grounded in student development theory, Spark provides students with strategies to manage any academic, social, or spiritual changes they face in their first year. The two primary goals of this program are:

To introduce students to a well-rounded representation of campus resources – igniting the initial connection students will continue to build upon

To help students continuously develop a sense of belonging at Gonzaga

First Year Experience Program is here to continue supporting your new Zag’s sense of belonging at Gonzaga University. We hope that you will encourage your students to attend!

For more information visit First Year Experience Programs in Crosby Center, Room 110 or email firstyearexperience@gonzaga.edu.