College program aims to ease freshmen transition

Taking the first few tentative steps into a college classroom can be a daunting experience, whether one is a new high school graduate or a seasoned member of the workforce.

Recognizing the need to provide new students with additional support, Craven Community College has implemented a new program, called First Year Experience, designed to engage students in campus activities and help them flourish academically.

“We’re really dedicated to supporting our students and make sure they’re successful,” said Melinda Finkle, the First Year Experience coordinator.

Finkle is new to the college this year, brought in specifically to head up the FYE program. She comes with three years experience leading an FYE program at a small, private college in Ohio. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from UNC in Greenville.

Finkle kicked off the FYE program at Craven with a student orientation. She organized two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening, so that newly enrolled students and their families can become familiar with college life.

“We’re moving toward making that a mandatory requirement and focus on things that are key and they need to know when they’re first starting out,” Finkle said.

The sessions covered academic expectations, student success, school life, balancing life’s demands and time management. Students with college experience took on ambassador duties to help guide the new students along and give them a real world perspective on being a college student. The student ambassadors also introduced the new students to opportunities to get involved in campus activities and use the services provided.

“That’s part of their job, to welcome students and tell them all about Craven,” Finkle said.

The orientation process is ongoing. The FYE program also includes classes on study skills, transferring to a four-year institution, obtaining an associate’s degree and study strategies. Additionally, Finkle is available to any student who seeks support.

“I’m more than willing to talk to students and process their transition issues or direct them to someone who can help them,” she said.

To expand the FYE programs, Finkle is working with the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education in Brevard. The institute, a not-for-profit organization, provides information and resources that colleges may use to enhance student learning, retention and graduation rates, according to institute information. At Craven Community College, committee structures will examine all student issues, gather data, and discover what initiatives are most needed, Finkle said. Periodic review will measure each program’s effectiveness.

“It’s a big self study about first year that will really give them an idea of what to do on campus,” said Angela Whiteside, the institute’s vice president for finance and administration.

Over the next one to two years, the institute will provide Craven Community College with a senior staff member who works both on- and off-site to offer support in program development. The college will use the institute’s FoEtec technology platform to track the data gathered and assess each program through nine dimensions of excellence, Whiteside said.

Overall, the program is aimed at ensuring student success, providing the desire to remain in college and ultimately achieve education goals.

For Finkle, the purpose runs deeper. She finds it important to help people grow and develop personally.

“It’s such a great opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said. 

P. Christine Smith can be reached at 252-635-5666 or pcsmith@freedomenc.com.