First Year Experience

Interim Director, First Year Experience

Mary Ann Villareal

Coordinator, First Year Experience

Christina Acoff

Student Support Coordinator, First Year Experience

Silvia Zamudio

Office Manager, First Year Experience

Rosemarie Enriquez

First Year Experience Office

800 N. State College Blvd. LH 216
Fullerton, CA 92831
657-278-3709
fullerton.edu/fye

Introduction

First-year student success at Cal State Fullerton begins with a guided transition from high school and is fostered through campus involvement and support in academics.

Supported jointly by the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, First Year Experience (FYE) connects first-year students who are undeclared to a community of first year-focused faculty, professional staff and peer mentors who will serve as partners in helping navigate the campus and connecting FYE students to the Titan experience, both academically and socially. At Cal State Fullerton, we believe we are partners in your education. If you are still undecided about your major, in other words an “undeclared” student, know that you are not alone. In FYE, our staff work in partnership with the Academic Advisement Center and all colleges across our campus to help you explore and ultimately declare your major.

FYE Compass Crossing Learning Community:

UNIV 100 Compass Cross is designed to provide students an overview and opportunity to explore academic majors and careers related to personal and professional goals, foster community with UNIV 100 peers, and connect to campus resources. UNIV 100 is also a General Education (GE) course that satisfies Area E, Lifelong Learning and Self-Development.

Members of FYE must enroll in UNIV 100: Foundations for College Success, Lifelong Learning and Self-Development Course. Through UNIV 100, students explore different majors while also meeting general education requirements, creating learning styles, developing time management strategies and productive study habits. The broad range of academic and student support services, clubs and organizations that the University offers will also be presented to UNIV 100 students. Once enrolled in UNIV 100, students will automatically be registered for the Compass Crossing Learning Community.

In UNIV 100, students work with faculty and a peer mentor who helps support their transition in college. In UNIV 100, first-year students make new friends, develop close relationships with professors and professional staff, and learn from the example of a successful second-, third- or fourth-year student who serves as a peer mentor. FYE also offers academic coaching, early probation alert intervention, common reading lectures, community-based learning, and academic and student success programming through FYE and through campus involvement/activities. The FYE Lava Lounge provides a space to meet friends or study with access to computers and free printing.

FYE students living on campus have the option of choosing the First Year Connection in Pine Residence Hall as their themed living-learning community. First Year Connection offers students all of the regular benefits of FYE, plus classes and a resource center with study space, social and informational programs, and other fun activities.

FYE students benefit from pre-reserved seats in English, human communications, mathematics and other general education courses. Students also have the advantage to participate in leadership opportunities in the Freshman Student Association on campus.

Freshman Student Association

All FYE participants receive membership in the Freshman Student Association (FSA), an officially recognized student organization. First-year students can serve in one of 10 Executive Board positions where they gain leadership and teamwork experience. Through fundraising, and social and community service events, FSA provides opportunities for students to get connected and get involved outside the classroom.

First Year Experience Advisory Board

The Director of First Year Experience reports to the associate vice president for Academic Programs and is advised by a diverse constituency of campus leaders and first-year students. The board meets two times per year.

Courses

First Year Experience Courses