Blog: First-Year Student Success

Abstract

My Spring 2024 participation in the University of Wyoming Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) group, facilitated by Dr. Dilnoza Khasilova, introduced me to other faculty and staff on campus who share an interest in the science of pedagogy. Dr. Khasilova’s guidance was invaluable, as she not only led the group but also invited guest speakers who helped us deepen our understanding of the IRB process and other critical aspects of our research. Through this experience, I learned how to narrow down my research questions, collaborate effectively with a team of like-minded faculty and staff, and create an impactful SoTL poster. With IRB approval now complete, I’m ready to begin a project researching best practices for the First Year Experience (FYE) course for Fall 2024. The project will incorporate qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the most beneficial aspects and perceived deficiencies of our FYE course.