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First-Year Experience

Develop structures to connect students with resources that foster their academic and career goals.

High school students and a counselor having a college planning meeting at a table, promoting college readiness and success strategies for diverse students.

Supporting Critical Transitions

A comprehensive, institutional approach designed to support students through their critical transition into higher education, from pre-enrollment through completion of their first year.

Poor Retention

24% of first-year students nationally don’t return for their second year.

Intuitional Performance Gaps

Hispanic, Black, and Native American students retained at significantly lower rates than national average

Transition Challenges

Students struggle to navigate institutional systems and develop college success skills.

Photos by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library

Proof Points

Structured support during the transition to college significantly improves outcomes through evidence-based practices that foster academic and social integration.

  • Students in first-year seminars earn higher average first-semester GPA
  • Higher first-year to sophomore-year retention rates
  • Positive effects on first-year grades and one-year retention rates
  • Programs improve GPAs and likelihood of graduating in five years

Georgia State University’s comprehensive first-year approach includes summer orientation, learning communities, and proactive “success coaching” using predictive analytics. First-year retention increased significantly with achievement gaps between demographic groups virtually eliminated through comprehensive support systems.

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA

Benefits

Effective first-year experiences provide students with essential foundations for academic success while helping institutions improve retention rates and create collaborative campus cultures that benefit all students.

Academic Performance

Students demonstrate higher academic outcomes and better study habits

Stronger Persistence

 Significantly higher retention rates and degree completion likelihood

Enhanced Belonging

mproved sense of connection and social support on campus

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Explore Our Work

We are shifting policy at the state and federal level, changing perspectives among educators and administrators, and implementing proven strategies across hundreds of campuses.

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Diverse group of college students walking and chatting outside a modern campus building, representing student engagement and higher education success.