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First-Year Experience Seminars Strengthen College Transitions at UNO

New initiative aims to boost student belonging, retention, and success through embedded college seminars.

Students gather and socialize outside on the UNO campus during a sunny day, with the Henningson Memorial Campanile visible in the background. The UNO split 'O' logo is prominently displayed in the upper left corner of the image.

Your first year at UNO just got smarter.
A new approach to First-Year Experience (FYE) seminars is taking root across all six UNO colleges, making the transition to college more meaningful and supportive for first-time students.

➡️ What’s new:
UNO launched a two-year, externally funded planning grant in Fall 2024 to scale up embedded FYE seminars across all academic colleges. These college-specific courses are designed to help students build community, feel at home academically, and thrive in their transition to higher education.

💡 Why it matters:
Students who feel connected are more likely to stay, succeed, and graduate. Early results from the initiative show promise:

  • In Fall 2024, five colleges offered seminars that served more than 600 first-year students—about 27% of UNO’s incoming class.
  • By Fall 2026, all six colleges are expected to participate, with capacity for 1,000 students—reaching nearly 45% of the first-year class.

This model builds on the successes of the Thompson Learning Community and aligns with research from the Promoting At-Promise Student Success (PASS) initiative, which highlights the impact of comprehensive college transition programs on student outcomes.

📈By the numbers:

  • 600+ first-time students enrolled in FYE seminars in Fall 2024
  • 27% of first-year class reached in Year 1
  • 1,000 student capacity planned for Fall 2026
  • 45% of first-year students projected to participate

🔎 Zoom in:
The seminars don’t just offer academic guidance—they integrate key elements of student success:

  • Orientation to college processes
  • Financial literacy
  • Peer connections and mentoring
  • Embedded early-alert systems
  • Faculty and staff engagement within each student’s college

These shared experiences are tailored to reflect each college’s unique culture, while maintaining consistent, evidence-based supports for student success.

🎤 What they’re saying:

UNO Student Success & Institutional Effectiveness: “By embedding these seminars into each college, we’re creating a stronger academic identity and support system for first-year students.”

PASS Research Team: “We’re using what we know works—like belonging, academic confidence, and campus connections—and delivering that at scale.”

🌎 The big picture:
This effort directly supports UNO’s mission to educate all learners and remove structural barriers to success. It reflects UNO’s values of inclusion, discovery, and student-centered innovation, providing meaningful pathways for all students to thrive.

⚡ What’s next:
UNO is inviting more faculty, staff, and students to join the conversation and help shape the future of first-year seminars. Submit feedback or ideas.