A Navigate U Step-by-Step Guide
A Strategic Approach to Enhancing Academic First Experiences

Overview

The University of Utah is embarking on a comprehensive initiative to enhance Academic First Experiences across campus. This guide outlines the strategic steps necessary to implement and scale Academic First Experiences for students who have declared a major or are still exploring. This initiative aims to create a supportive and engaging environment that promotes academic success, strengthens retention and persistence, and builds a strong sense of community for first-year students and/or newly admitted students, including transfer students.

This initiative is focused exclusively on Academic First Experiences, ensuring alignment with academic departments and programs. By focusing on initiatives such as major-specific courses, tailored orientation sessions, cohort-based learning communities, and discipline-specific research opportunities, this project aims to enhance student retention, persistence, and success by establishing a solid academic foundation from the outset of their university experience.

Phase I: Initial data collection and presentation led by the Director of First Experiences – by September 15, 2024

1. Collect data on existing first experiences through the Navigate U survey in Qualtrics.
2. Inventory first experiences to the level of college/school, major, and relevant non-major experiences based on the Navigate U survey data.
3. Present preliminary data at a future Activate Meeting (September 19) with the ability to continue to add to the list of first experiences.

Phase II: How do we know it works? – by October 31, 2024

1. Collect current and historical program assessment and evaluation data if available and conduct follow-up meetings as needed (School/College/Department led).
2. Support programs in determining a target number to reach scale and the associated resources to support the growth (Collaborative Effort).
3. Establish potential framework for the development of future First Experiences (Collaborative Effort).
4. Establish ongoing evaluation, assessment, and reporting mechanisms (Collaborative Effort).

Phase III: Enhanced recruitment and information – by January 16, 2025

1. Dedicated First Experiences Website – First Experiences team will lead the development and launch of this new platform
2. Through collaboration with College/Schools and Enrollment Management, determine methods for increasing student participation in existing experiences (Collaborative Effort).

Phase IV: Continuous Improvement and Evaluation – by March 2025

1. Develop and implement ongoing process for evaluating and assessing newly formed First Experiences.

Resources

Ensuring Quality & Taking High-Impact Practices to Scale (Kuh & O’Donnell, 2013)

High-Impact Educational Practices (Kuh, 2008)

National Research and Trends on The First-Year Experience & Students in Transition (Keup, 2014)

By following this guide, the University of Utah can effectively introduce, refine, and scale Academic First Experiences that specifically support first-year and/or new Transfer students. Through data collection, assessment, program recruitment, and continuous improvement and evaluation, these initiatives will support institutional retention and completion goals, and effectively help to guide students through their academic journey and ensure every student can have an exceptional educational experience. #NavigateU