First Year Experience

The First-Year Experience is a strategic institutional initiative that approaches the first year as an opportunity to welcome students to the community of scholars. Designed for first-time, first semester undergraduate women who matriculate at Cedar Crest College in the fall semester, this approach addresses both the academic and personal dimensions of student development, providing opportunities for students to develop a support network that includes faculty, staff, and peers. Students will also learn the importance of wellness and develop skills and tools for achieving optimal wellness.

With a focus on women’s leadership, global connectivity, civic engagement, and health and wellness, this approach is designed to cultivate students’ integration with the Cedar Crest College community. First-year Seminars are part of a freshman writing program and introduce students to a community of collaborative academic inquiry grounded in reading, discussion, writing, and revision. Students will create connections with community members; between their personal goals and the mission of the college; between healthy choices and academic, emotional, and social well-being; and between their College experience and their roles in society. The components of the (4) credit Freshman Year Experience are as follows:

First-Year Seminar (FYS), that includes a shared reading, College Life course (CCC-101), and Exploring Your Future course (CCC-102).