Re-visioning a First-Year Seminar
Eddie Case
Director of Gateway 101
Wingate University
Setting
Setting
Setting
Background
History
Leadership
Instructors
Content
GOAL: Gateway 101 intellectually engages first-time students at
Wingate University as they experience academic, social,
intellectual, emotional, lifestyle, and spiritual transitions to
university life.
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The course will empower students to:
Practice personal responsibility, self-motivation, self-management, and selfdiscipline.
Investigate issues faced by university students, including but not limited to
technological resources, time management, financial management, vocational
choice, goal establishment, and interpersonal relationships.
Build a small supportive cohort where they feel comfortable sharing ideas and
feelings and where they receive encouragement in their academic and social
activities.
Explore university life through discussions of expectations, opportunities,
resources, and academic and community policies.
Establish a nurturing learning community which they will develop goals to prepare
for lives of significance.
Investigate campus involvement and service learning opportunities.
Discussion
What are some issues that could result from
having a First Year Seminar for 20+ years?
Problem Identification
Problem Identification
Faculty Workgroup
Participation
Process
Results
Faculty Workgroup
Leadership
Instructors
Linked Classes
Peer Mentors
Content
Goals
Discussion
How would you know if the course had reached
these goals?
Outcomes
Faculty Input
Continued Emphasis
Assessment
Assessment
Implications
Problem Definition
Involve Stakeholders
Gather Data
Define Outcomes
Assess Progress
Discussion
Who are the major stakeholders in the First
Year Seminar on your campus?
How could you involve the stakeholders in
reform?
Thank You!