First-Year Seminar (FYS) is an introductory class offered to first-year students to help them acclimate to the college environment, develop effective strategies for studying, and learn techniques that will allow them to swiftly complete small assignments and sizable research projects. In 2014, approximately 80 percent of universities offered FYS,…

The students who walk into the office of Jaydeen Santos at the University of Vermont (UVM) are burdened by a familiar litany of troubles. They feel isolated. Homesick. Overwhelmed by classes. Unsure where to turn. Santos, the student services advisor at UVM's Mosaic Center for Students of Color, knows just how they feel. Because 17 years ago, she…

We examined the impact of a workshop on Asian international graduate students' understanding of a U.S. American university's concept of academic honesty. The workshop, taught from a cultural perspective, explained the U.S. American university's expectations to 19 participants. Data was obtained from a workshop post-test and from subsequent…

The responsibility for college success has historically rested with the student, but since the 1980s, educators have taken increasing ownership of this, designing structures that increase the likelihood of learning, success, and retention. These efforts have included a variety of initiatives--first year seminars, learning communities,…