Welcome to Arkansas State University!

First Year Experience

 

The First Year Experience Program at A-State

The First Year Experience Program, also known as FYE, is a program that is designed to help students prepare for the transition from high school to college. All sections of FYE include core information that covers A-State Policies & Procedures, Academic Resources, Study Skills, Academic Research & Writing, Leadership & Campus Involvement as well as materials crucial to the academic and personal growth of each First Year Red Wolf. Each FYE Instructor will serve as a mentor and all sections of FYE use a common text which is written by A-State faculty to address information and resources specific to A-State. The A-State FYE Program is interdisciplinary, meaning that each section of FYE is based within the department or college of the student’s major. This interdisciplinary approach exposes and excites first-year students about their major and career opportunities.

A-State Students Walking on Campus

Making Connections

All first year students enroll in a Making Connections course. This three-credit course is designed to help students make a successful transition into college by connecting students with their major, college peers and a faculty mentor. There are many sections offered within the various academic disciplines at A-State including a honor and undecided sections. While each course has a special emphasis on the students’ academic discipline, all sections include a common core including campus resources, A-State policies, learning techniques, critical thinking skills, and degree information.

For more information contact, Dr. Shaquita Renelique, First Year Experience at srenelique@astate.edu.


What is a Common Reader?

A Common Reader is a book assigned to all first-year students to read during the fall semester. The purpose of the First-Year Common Reader is to promote a shared intellectual experience to engage students socially and academically both inside and outside of the classroom.

Themes from this year’s selected reader "This I Believe II: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women" edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, will be incorporated into discussions, activities and experiences of first-year students.

Common Reader programs are designed to: create a sense of community, promote discussion, set academic expectations for students, provide a shared intellectual experience, encourage cross-disciplinary dialogue, increase faculty-student interaction, promote critical engagement with ideas and encourage reading among first-year students.

This I Believe II


First Year Experience
Peer Leader Application
2023-24

The First Year Experience at A-State is proud to open our peer leader program for student applications. This volunteer opportunity enables upperclassmen to work closely alongside faculty, striving to improve the experience of students as they enter college life. 

Download the application here: Peer Leader Application 2023-24


Contact First Year Experience

Dr. Shaquita Renelique, Director of First Year Experience

Phone: (870) 972-3623

Room: Library 143