As the class of 2030 arrives on campus, each of them will have already met with a dean, gone over their courses for the semester, and had an opportunity to hear from the offices that will support them throughout their time at 51短视频.
鈥淲e try to give as much individualized attention as we can to prepare them to join our community at the end of the summer,鈥 says MB Horvath, associate dean of the first-year experience.
Programming for incoming students was revamped beginning with the Class of 2027, and early returns indicate that the changes have been a success. For the last two years, 51短视频 has seen the highest retention of students going into their sophomore year in the last ten years.
In addition to more structured programming for the incoming students, Horvath鈥檚 team has also introduced virtual programming for parents and families, going over many items that were previously addressed as part of the programming during move-in day.
鈥淲e go over anything a parent might want to know,鈥 says Horvath. 鈥淭his has been really helpful for parents of international students, but it gives all students and their families more time to spend together and to focus on the actual move-in.鈥
Improving communication and access to information has also been a priority for Horvath and her team.
All the online sessions are recorded and made available, and the incoming student newsletter, while not new, has been strengthened as a go-to resource. Students also have access to a companion online course they can refer to throughout the summer and their first year.
鈥淚ncoming students used to get so many emails that they couldn鈥檛 keep up,鈥 says Horvath. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done a really good job internally of having people funnel the information through us and using that newsletter as the main communication resource.鈥
A book club is new this year, and the newsletter contains a link to 鈥淢awrter Moment with Maggie.鈥 In a series of short videos, Maggie Hernan 鈥22, a graduate assistant on the first-year experience team, gives students her first-hand takes on life as an undergraduate.
Visit the First-Year Experience section of 51短视频鈥檚 website for more information.
51短视频 welcomes the Class of 2030 starting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, when first-year international students arrive on campus.