Troy, N.Y. — Starting classes, meeting peers, and exploring a new region can seem intimidating for many new college students. But it doesn’t have to be — at least that’s what staffers in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Office of the First-Year Experience (FYE) believe. For their annual series of welcoming events, team-building adventures, and festivities — called Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond (NRB) — FYE has been awarded the 2006 NASPA Excellence Gold Award that recognizes the first-year experience at Rensselaer as standing out “among the best in the country.” 

The distinction honors Rensselaer and eight other institutions “who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration,” according to the National Association of Student Personnel Administration (NASPA). With more than 11,000 members at 1,200 campuses, and representing 29 countries, NASPA is the largest professional association for student affairs administrators, faculty, and graduate students. 

“It is wonderful for Rensselaer’s first-year experience to be recognized by NASPA as ‘the best in the country’ of all programs submitted in their category. The development of innovative educational experiences comes from engaging all segments of the Rensselaer community in a process that celebrates discovery, creativity, innovation, and diversity,” said Eddie Ade Knowles, vice president for student life at Rensselaer. “The award further acknowledges the efforts of the entire Rensselaer community of individuals and departments who have worked so hard to create a campus culture and engaging student experience where students can learn and grow within our global community and beyond.”

FYE received the award in the category of “Enrollment Management, Orientation, Parents, First-Year, Other-Year and related.” The criteria for judging included: positive impact on student learning, transitions, retention and/or success; demonstration of success in addressing student needs and/or critical campus issues; collaboration with academic affairs; originality and creativity; and effective use of technology.  

“The first-year experience for new students at Rensselaer begins prior to the students’ arrival on campus and continues throughout the first year,” said Lisa Trahan, FYE dean and interim director of residence life. “It introduces students to the campus, its resources, and beyond — creating the springboard to help them to excel and succeed. 

“Cross-campus collaborations make this a reality, and NASPA has recognized the value in our teamwork,” Trahan continued. “We are thrilled to be recognized by NASPA with this prestigious award that acknowledges us as a national leader in first-year experience and orientation programming.”  

Programs include the Tuesday Night Toolbox student success series, residence hall programming, and various academic student support initiatives offered by Rensselaer faculty, staff, and upper-class students.

“I still hang out with people that I met from my Student Orientation session, and prior to the start of classes, I decided to attend the NRB Overnight trip to the Darrin Fresh Water Institute, because I wanted to try and meet more people,” said Bianca Zongrone, a member of the Class of 2010 from Utica, N.Y., who is majoring in mathematics. “We got to cook our own meals and really get to know one another, more so than if we were just taking a course together. Some of us are thinking of having a reunion in the summer to get back together and just have fun. It was a nice introduction to living away from home and a great connection between the comfort of home and the unknowns of college life.” 

Now entering its seventh season of programming, the concept of a “first-year experience” was a top priority in The Rensselaer Plan. With an ultimate goal of achieving student success, FYE also aims to have students build healthy and meaningful bonds with each other that will last not only through their time at Rensselaer, but also into the alumni years.

Beginning during the admissions process, concepts of teamwork, leadership, cultural exploration, community service, and citizenship are instilled throughout the first year as students learn about each other, the campus, and the surrounding Capital Region community. 

Additional Rensselaer groups involved in the programs include: Residence Life, the Rensselaer Union, Enrollment Management, Alumni Relations, the Division of the Chief Information Officer (campus computing services), the Advising and Learning Assistance Center, the First Year Studies program, and numerous academic departments. 

To learn more about the 2006 “Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond” program, go to: http://news.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=1695.

To view the 2006 Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond video, go to:  http://www.rpi.edu/student_life/fye/video.html.

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu