First-Year Experience

Danielle Blackwell, MEd

Assistant Dean of First-Year Experience and Transitions

Welcome to First-Year Forward, Olive-Harvey's First Year Experience Program

Our Mission

At Olive-Harvey, the First-Year Experience (FYE) office helps students feel welcome and supported as they adjust to campus life. FYE offers programs that focus on personal and academic growth, show you how to make the most of campus resources, help you connect with others, and encourage you to take care of your well-being—so you’re ready to succeed as a Panther!      

        

              
What We Do?                  
We understand transitioning to College can be extremely stressful and sometimes challenging to navigate this new environment. All first-year students are engaged with a supportive, inclusive, vibrant community where they have the foundational skills and resources they need to thrive at Olive-Harvey!                
              

Program Goals             

As you begin your journey at Olive-Harvey, we hope that you:             

  • Know about the student resources available to you
  • Feel like you belong
  • Connect with faculty, staff, and make new friends
  • Take responsibility for your academic success

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Student Success Pathway
We believe that to be successful, students should experience these key steps:

  • Make intentional, purposeful choices
  • Develop a strong academic mindset
  • Reach important milestones
  • Stay actively engaged in your studies
  • Keep moving forward on your path to graduation

This pathway helps us focus on your success, from staying in school to graduating and beyond!

              

First-Year Forward:          

First-Year Experience (FYE) program will provide added support and engagement for new students. The goal of the First-Year Experience Program, called First-Year Forward, will be to increase retention of first year students. First-Year Forward includes a comprehensive onboarding process; designates a highly-trained academic advising/coaching professional to each student; offers an array of student support services; facilitates interactive and engaging activities; maintains small class sizes; and provides students with a graduation concierge to assist with the transition into the workforce or four-year college/university. The First-Year Experience program will launch initiatives that aligns with Academic Student Success Framework in effort to close achievement gap.​       

             

First-Year Forward Convocation                    

The First-Year Forward Convocation is the official opening of the academic year where the entire OHC community (Faculty/Staff, Students, Parents, and its surrounding communities) celebrate traditions, and welcome new students to Olive-Harvey College. Convocation serves as an official college ceremony designed to create a sense of responsibility towards students’ academic journey; celebrate new students’ entry into higher education; welcome new students to the college; develop a sense of belongingness to OHC; to welcome students to their academic careers; to convey to students the importance of their educational work and to show the school’s commitment to supporting students as they pursue their educational journey at OHC.           

Convocation will inspire students to strive for academic success, encourage them to unite as an entering class, and help them feel connected to the academic community.