First Year Experience

Students walking on campus during the summer.

Your First Year Experience

The First Year Experience (FYE) Program helps you make a smooth, confident transition from high school to college life at A-State. In FYE, you’ll learn essential skills and resources: from campus policies and academic support to study strategies, research and writing, leadership, and opportunities for campus involvement.

FYE courses are designed to support your academic and personal success while connecting you to the campus community. Each section brings together students with a range of interests, experiences, and goals, creating an environment where you can explore ideas, build connections, and grow. Many courses also provide opportunities to engage with academic pathways and career possibilities early in your college journey.

No matter where you are in deciding your path, FYE helps you build a strong foundation for success from your first day through your college experience.

Student pointing at camera while posing with "First Day of Class" sign.

Making Connections

Making Connections is a three‑credit course every first‑year student takes to kick off their A‑State journey. Designed to help you confidently transition to college, this class connects you to your major, fellow students, and a dedicated faculty mentor. Offered across a wide range of academic disciplines, including Honors and undecided sections, each course is tailored to your field of interest while sharing a common foundation. You’ll explore campus resources, A‑State policies, learning strategies, critical thinking skills, and degree planning tools that set you up for success from day one.

Freshmen Day of Service

Freshmen Day of Service is your first chance to come together as a Red Wolf and give back to the A‑State community. Through hands‑on service projects across campus, you’ll build friendships, connect with your surroundings, and start your college experience by making a real impact. This day celebrates leadership through action, civic engagement, and the power of serving something bigger than yourself. It’s not just about helping, it’s about discovering your place, your purpose, and your potential as part of the Pack.

The FYE Academic Expo is a showcase of first-year students research, philanthropy, and creativity and connections to the University. Projects generally focus on degree-specific exploration, and hands-on learning.

Projects fall under one of three categories:

Philanthropy: Students develop and execute a service project for the campus or surrounding community.
Connections: Students develop and execute a project or performance that helps to connect them to their major or a campus resource.
Research: Students develop and execute a research-based project in their major field of study.

Awards for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place will be offered in each category, as well as a single best-of-show award.

Rubrics & Templates

Note: Each category has a different judging rubric.

Judging Rubrics
Academic Expo Template - Horizontal (To Be Added)
Academic Expo Template - Vertical (To Be Added)

How to Participate

Prior to Oct. 31, faculty should confirm their classes participation including their category of choice (i.e. philanthropy, connections, or research), and request any additional supplies needed (first come, first served).

This is a required event for all Making Connections courses.

For additional information, contact Dr. Shaq Renelique at srenelique@astate.edu.

Class Project Examples

English, Williams

Exploratory, Allen/Henderson

Exploratory, Henderson

Social Work, Wolfe

Got Questions?