First Year Experience (FYE)

Our First Year Experience (FYE) is intentional about providing support and guidance to new students at Anderson University through meaningful relationships, relevant resources, and intentional programming. All first year students that attend Anderson University are placed into an Alpha Group where they will find an upperclassman peer mentor, make new friendships, be personally guided through the Welcome Week experience, and also be enrolled in a class called AU 101 that will help students develop a clear purpose for the collegiate journey. Our First Year Experience helps each of our students be seen and known in their first year at Anderson!

Welcome Week is an action-packed week of programming to help you get acclimated to the AU community. Welcome Week is full of fun events, preparation for the school year, and countless opportunities to make new relationships with your fellow students! It also provides time to get settled into your new home before classes begin! Our Welcome Week schedule is published late in the summer and given to all new students upon their arrival to campus.

Upon arrival at Anderson University, first year students are placed into an Alpha Group where they will find an upperclassman peer mentor and new friendships to begin their journey! Alpha Leaders are a vital part of the First Year Experience at Anderson University. These student leaders act as peer mentors, friends, and cheerleaders for our first year students. Alpha Leaders support students through their transition to Anderson by guiding their Alpha group through all aspects of Welcome Week. Alpha Leaders also assist with the facilitation of an AU 101 course. These leaders form meaningful relationships with their Alpha group and act as a liaison between the university and the student. These responsible, caring, and integrous student leaders care deeply for our incoming class and can’t wait to meet you!

As part of the First Year Experience, all first time students will also be enrolled in a class alongside with their entire Alpha Group called AU 101. This course is designed to provide an engaging and supportive environment that strengthens academic skills and develops a clear purpose for the collegiate journey. Each AU 101 class will be assigned an Anderson faculty member and an Alpha Leader to facilitate the course. Topics focus on the value of a Liberal Arts education, access to campus support resources, and developing strategies for academic success, including goal setting, time management, and professional communication with faculty and staff. Students also explore societal and intercultural issues related to identity, diversity, privilege, prejudice, digital communication etiquette, and social media trends and influences. This one credit hour course meets once a week throughout the Fall semester.

Alpha leaders are assigned to students based upon their registered AU 101 course section. It is not possible to request a specific Alpha Leader or Alpha Group.

Alpha Leaders will reach out to students in their Alpha Group via email and/or text in the week leading up to first year move-in.

Due to the nature of AU 101 course scheduling, it is not possible to request a specific Alpha Leader or Alpha Group.

Yes! Transfer students who have previously been enrolled full-time at another university will be place into a specific Transfer Alpha Group (TAG.) Transfer Alpha Groups are not assigned a weekly AU 101 class, but will be led by an Alpha Leader through the Welcome Week experience and have multiple opportunities for support and community-building throughout the semester! TAG Leaders act as peer mentors, friends, and cheerleaders for their transfer students as they become accustomed to Anderson’s vibrant community.