Rachel and Camille Podcast

First Year Experience Like No Other

The First Year Experience Office at Lyndon State College is one of a kind. Donna Keely is the director.  Through an interview with Keely we found out how she ended up in first year experience, what she gets out of it, her future plans, and the benefits of the program to the students. The two main aspects of the First Year Experience Office are the SOAR and Fall Kick-Off Programs.

SOAR stands for Student Orientation and Registration.  Incoming students attend a two day program in which they have their first experience living the life of a college student. They attend programs in order to learn about campus life and academics.  In these programs students talk to faculty and staff about their major, financial aid, and eventually register for classes. The students are lead in small groups throughout the two days by Peer Leaders. 

When the students move in they attend another program called Fall Kick-Off. They students are placed into new groups with a new Peer Leader.  These groups will be their INT 1020 class during their first semester. Fall Kick-Off is a less intense version of SOAR, with more team building activities, such as community service and outdoor games. Overall the program is designed to build community within the incoming class. The students are given opportunities to hang out with others and form bonds as they start the academic year.  One of the most important relationships they make is with their Peer Leader.

The role of a Peer Leader is to help incoming students get acquainted with the college and make an easy transition. They are a resource for students to come seek help and safe place to bring issues and concerns. The Peer Leaders are unique because they are a role model throughout SOAR, Fall Kick-Off, and the first semester.  These programs ensure that the incoming students can make connections with Peer Leaders, so they know at least one person when they move in during the fall.

Peer Leaders are connected with students and a faculty member in their INT 1020 class. Their role in the classroom is to be an assistant to the professor and continue to build relationships with the students. Peer Leaders are required to have four week check ins throughout the semester to make sure each individual student is excelling and settling in to college life. After the first semester is over the Peer Leaders may not be directly integrated with the freshmen class but the bonds formed during the First Year Experience programs continue.