Cleveland State President Dr. Bill Seymour speaks with a group of First Year Seminar students.
Cleveland State Community College is among the first schools in the state to add a mandatory freshman success class. The FYS class, or First-Year Seminar, was implemented this fall in time to support Tennessee Promise students.
Officials said the class enhances success in college by assisting students in obtaining life skills necessary to their educational, career and life objectives. Students will create and apply critical thinking strategies in areas of time management, learning styles, study skills, career planning, resource utilization and media literacy. Students will learn skills that will allow them to be self- aware, self-motivated, civically aware and personally responsible.
According to Dr. Robert Brandon, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, “The most important thing the FYS class gives students is a chance to engage with the college on a relational level. It is an intentional way that we reach out and walk along beside students and help them navigate the first semester of college. I think it’s pretty clear that if the students get through the first semester of college, they are far more likely to be successful.”
Dr. Brandon also said that across every group of students examined, FYS students are more likely to continue than those who do not take the class. Data from Cleveland State’s First Year Seminar demonstrates significant gains in academic success and retention for students who participate versus those who do not. In addition, there is a significant difference in GPA when comparing completers and non-completers. “No matter how you divide it—male or female, different ethnic groups or learning support status, across any division, the data remains the same.”
CSCC helped to implement the new 60+3 program which permits Tennessee community colleges to require a three credit college success course above the 60 credit limit.
Dr. Brandon stated, “We don’t want to add time to students’ programs. They cannot be larger than 60 credits. So, the question becomes, ‘What do you do to make the FYS course mandatory?’ The decision was made that students are not going to get to 60 credits if they do not have support, so it is worth the extra three hours to ensure that more students get to 60.”
Only a college success course designed to improve completion will be permitted for the 60+3 program. This program could not come at a better time as the Tennessee Promise is bringing greater numbers to the community colleges this fall. Many of them are first generation college students who may need additional support in order to be successful.
Dr. Denise King, vice president for Academic Affairs, stated, “Tennessee Promise has brought to Cleveland State an abundance of new college students; now it is our mission to equip those students so they transform into college graduates. Our First Year Seminar course, along with other college initiatives, serves to build relationships, deepen academic purpose, provide personalized guidance, and build a clear path toward achievable and meaningful academic and career goals for all students. In this way, Cleveland State strives to provide an educated citizenry and excellent workforce for our local community and the state.”
Overall, Cleveland State is up 6.5 percent in full time equivalents (FTE) for the fall semester. The number of new freshmen coming specifically from the 11 high schools in the Cleveland State service area is up 24 percent.