close up of the hands of several people playing with toy blocks

First Year Experience

Mission

Empower first-year students to navigate their academic journey with confidence and purpose through a transformative learning experience centered on design thinking, life design principles, and personalized academic pathways.

Vision

To cultivate a community of resilient and innovative learners who embrace challenges, leverage their unique strengths, and design meaningful academic and personal pathways that lead to success and fulfillment.

Values

  1. Empowerment: We believe in empowering students to take ownership of their educational journey, providing them with the tools, resources, and support necessary to make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations.
  2. Collaboration: We promote collaboration among students, peer educators, faculty, and staff to co-create solutions, share insights, and inspire each other to reach higher levels of achievement.
  3. Innovation: We encourage creative thinking, experimentation, and risk-taking as essential components of the learning process. We embrace failure as an opportunity for growth and iteration.
  4. Reflection: We emphasize the importance of self-reflection and introspection in the design of one's academic and personal pathways. We encourage students to explore their values, interests, and goals to make informed decisions aligned with their authentic selves.
  5. Adaptability: We recognize that the educational landscape is constantly evolving, and we equip students with the adaptive skills and mindset necessary to navigate change, overcome challenges, and thrive in diverse contexts.
  6. Community: We foster a sense of belonging and community where students feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute positively to their own growth and the growth of others.

By embodying these values and principles, our first-year experience course aims to prepare students not only for academic success but also for a lifetime of learning, growth, and fulfillment.

For more information about the COLS 194-You at UM: Curiosity and Life Design First-Year Experience, please contact Shannon Janssen, Director of the First Year Experience at shannon.janssen@mso.umt.edu.