Conversations

Conversations on First-Year Student Success

Each semester, FYE partners with faculty, staff, and students to present Conversations on First-Year Student Success, a forum for faculty and staff to discuss issues that shape first-year students at IU Bloomington. This programmatic series aims to facilitate candid conversations about relevant first-year student topics through the collective knowledge and experiences of faculty and staff participants.

Whether your schedule permits you to attend one session or many, we look forward to facilitating dialogue that will strengthen our collective ability to understand and serve first-year students effectively.

Upcoming Conversations

What's the Buzz About Retention

Wednesday, February 5 │ 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Retention is everyone’s responsibility. Explore one office’s perspective and discover what the Office of Enrollment Management has learned about retention. Information shared will include the results of recent student exit surveys and other relevant data.

Presenters: Sarah Booher, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Retention, Office of Enrollment Management

What's Up With Transfer Students

Wednesday, March 5 │ 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Students transfer to our campus from a variety of institutions: Other IU campuses, community colleges, in-state, out-of-state, and even international. They come from 4-year, 2-year, public, and private schools and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. Learn about their challenges and some of the programs and resources built to support their experience.

Presenters: Shauna Melvin, Undergraduate Academic Advisor, College of Arts and Sciences; Kelly Waggoner, Associate Director Admissions; and Bailey Moss, Associate Director Transfer Initiatives, Office of First Year Experience

A Balancing Act: The Student Athlete Experience

Wednesday, April 9 │ 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Student athletes have a different college experience than other students, and it has been evolving a great deal in recent years. Along with classes, they attend practices, workouts and games (often involving travel). In addition, new opportunities exist including the transfer portal and the ability to be compensated for name, image, and likeness. Hear from our colleagues who work with student athletes to understand the experiences of this unique population.

Presenters: Mattie White, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA; Lisa Winters, Director for Leadership and Life Skills, IU Athletics; and Jason Gandhi, Project Management Coordinator, IU Athletics

Past Conversations

Free Speech and Student Safety

Tuesday, September 17

Our students are actively engaged in issues they are passionate about and can sometimes be at odds with other students, policies, and procedures. Campuses across the country are faced with the challenges associated with free speech and, as evidenced in recent months, IU is no exception. Attend to learn more about how IU works to keep students and the IU community safe while supporting the right to free speech.

Presenters: Kathy Adams Reister, Associate Vice Provost for Student Life and Dean of Students; and Cedric Harris, Assistant Dean for Student Support and Bias Education

Find more information

Supporting Rural Students

Thursday, October 24

Like other underserved groups, rural students have unique strengths and challenges that affect their success at IU. This session will explore what defines "rural," the unique experiences and qualities of rural students, and strategies to support their success at IU.

Presenters: Colleen Rose, Director of Student Engagement, IU Center for Rural Engagement

Play the recording

When Things Go Awry: Student Behavior and Conduct

Wednesday, November 13

College is a time students truly are transitioning into adulthood. This journey sometimes includes poor decision making—engaging in behaviors that violate policy, challenge community norms, or are self-destructive. Our conduct professionals will share behavior trends and how the conduct process supports student success and retention.

Presenters: Libby Spotts, Senior Associate Dean of Students, Director, Office of Student Conduct; Lisa Young, Associate Director of Care and Conduct, Residence Life; and Anna Krause, Associate Director, Office of Student Conduct

Play the recording

Conversations

Conversations on First-Year Student Success

Upcoming Conversations

Past Conversations

Office of First Year Experience Programs social media channels