What is the First Year Experience?

LaGuardia Community College’s First Year Experience is a program of activities designed to create the optimal environment for Student Retention and Success. The First Year Experience at LaGuardia has received the 2002 Institute of Excellence Award as one of the top 13 colleges in the nation for its First Year Experience Program from the Policy Center on The First Year of College.

Introduced in the Spring 2001 semester, the initiatives address the transition from high school to college, academic support services and student engagement. The activities which assist new students in becoming connected to the college community and become active learners include Summer and Winter Pre Freshman Programs, Opening Sessions for New Students, the Peer Mentoring Program, New Student Seminar, First Year Academies / Learning Communities, Intersession Academic Intensives and Academic Prep Sessions.

The First Year Experience program is under the direction of the First Year Committee and the Office of Academic Collaborate Programs and Services.