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Listen "What Is the Organizational Function of the First-Year Experience"
Episode Synopsis
FYE programs exist at nearly every institution. But as we lead and teach in our programs, do we ever ask ourselves what the organizational function of FYE actually is? We face countless choices and demands on our curriculum and programming, making it difficult for FYE programs to stay focused and aligned for both students and faculty. Join Matt Sanders and Lisa Simmons as they examine FYE’s role as the organizational socialization program and discuss how this understanding helps FYE avoid mission drift so we can deliver meaningful support where it matters most.
Additional Resources:
Read the Episode Summary.
Click the link to learn more about the book Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education https://a.co/d/ePiv11d
Presenter Information
About Matthew Sanders
Matt Sanders is a Professor of Communication Studies at Utah State University and holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has a long-standing interest in helping students improve their college experience and enjoys working closely with the orientation and first-year experience programs at Utah State. He is the author of Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education. In addition to his writing and speaking about the college experience, he also teaches classes and publishes research on the topics of leadership, the nonprofit sector, and pedagogy. Matt can be reached at [email protected].
About Lisa Simmons
Lisa Simmons is the Executive Director of Student Orientation and Transition Services, focusing on new student orientation and onboarding, and parent and family programs. In support of the school’s land-grant mission, her office serves a diverse group of learners located at campuses throughout the state of Utah, as well as a large online student population. She is a member of the university’s Student Achievement Collaborative, a group that designs interdepartmental solutions to challenging issues related to student success. She has an Master’s Degree in English from Utah State University. Lisa can be reached at [email protected].
Additional Resources:
Read the Episode Summary.
Click the link to learn more about the book Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education https://a.co/d/ePiv11d
Presenter Information
About Matthew Sanders
Matt Sanders is a Professor of Communication Studies at Utah State University and holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has a long-standing interest in helping students improve their college experience and enjoys working closely with the orientation and first-year experience programs at Utah State. He is the author of Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education. In addition to his writing and speaking about the college experience, he also teaches classes and publishes research on the topics of leadership, the nonprofit sector, and pedagogy. Matt can be reached at [email protected].
About Lisa Simmons
Lisa Simmons is the Executive Director of Student Orientation and Transition Services, focusing on new student orientation and onboarding, and parent and family programs. In support of the school’s land-grant mission, her office serves a diverse group of learners located at campuses throughout the state of Utah, as well as a large online student population. She is a member of the university’s Student Achievement Collaborative, a group that designs interdepartmental solutions to challenging issues related to student success. She has an Master’s Degree in English from Utah State University. Lisa can be reached at [email protected].
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