On Aug. 23, the latest incoming class of first-year students started scrambling to learn bus routes, the quickest walks to class, which RSOs they should join and where to find academic support for their courses. And for approximately 3,500 first-year students enrolling in University Perspectives (UNIV1001) this fall, a program record, the course is aiming to make that transition easier and help them kick off their first semester with confidence.

University Perspectives has been a cornerstone of the first-year student experience at the university since the fall semester of 2013 and is a signature program housed within the Student Success Center. The required one-credit course was created in response to the university's desire to enhance student engagement and strengthen student learning. Course development was a cross-campus effort involving students, faculty and staff to ensure that students get connected to the resources and people needed to build their confidence while also connecting them with other first-year students in a personalized classroom environment.

Since its inception, the course has evolved in the way it is delivered, but the heart of the course—helping students build confidence and connections with campus—hasn't changed. Today, students enrolling in the required course can choose from a variety of exciting topics that cater to their interests while also helping them learn the ins and outs of being successful on campus. All courses are taught by caring faculty and staff members who are well connected across campus and highly invested in student success.

The Fall 2021 semester will be a banner year for the University Perspectives program, making the personalized connections the course champions even more critical. Approximately 3,500 students will enroll in one of the 169 sections of the course—both program records. Another record is the number of faculty and staff partnering with the program and engaging with students in the classroom. Ninety-five unique instructors will facilitate UNIV1001 courses this fall, with each instructor designing their course around selected topics of interest. Topics range from pop culture to wellness and presidential rhetoric to diversity and everything in between. Though the topics may vary, instructors have a key set of driving curricular components to cover to ensure that students engage with the university and build sustainable habits that help them excel personally and academically on campus.

Trevor Francis, associate vice provost and director of Student Success, said, "Dr. Kelly Westeen and the team of University Perspectives instructors have done a tremendous job preparing to teach and support our incoming freshmen. UNIV 1001 is designed to personalize the first-semester learning experience while striving to develop the talent of each student who has entrusted us with their college education. We are truly honored to teach our new students the habits of thought and the skills they will need to thrive during their time on campus and beyond."

"University Perspectives is a high-impact program designed to help guide students through their first semester at the university, but the skills they learn and connections they make often have a longer-lasting impact," said Kelly Westeen, director of University Perspectives. "Over the years, I've heard anecdotes from students about how something they learned in University Perspectives played a role in helping them succeed on campus later in their academic careers. Many of our instructors also continue to foster relationships with their UNIV1001 students for years after their students leave their classrooms, showing the incredible impact that a caring faculty or staff member has on student success." 

As the student body and campus continue to grow and evolve, University Perspectives will continue to grow and evolve with them. The program collaborates with several partners and academic departments to ensure students receive important university information and enjoy engaging classroom experiences, and program leaders see these collaborations continuing and expanding to reach additional partners across campus.

To learn more about University Perspectives or to be considered for a future instructor position, visit https://success.uark.edu/courses/university-perspectives/index.php.