Why FYE Programs are a Smart Investment for All Universities
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." - W.B. Yeats
Freshman year of college is a pivotal time. It has the power to set the stage, to define a student’s experience for the next four years and beyond. It marks an important transition—academically, personally, and professionally. Freshman year can shape a student’s sense of belonging, boost or diminish their confidence, and—ultimately—impact their longer-term success.
One of the quickest-growing areas at EdOdyssey is our First Year Experience (FYE) programs. It has become abundantly clear in recent years that these programs are of tremendous value to both students and universities.
WHY FYE PROGRAMS MATTER MORE THAN EVER RIGHT NOW
If you work in higher education, you understand very well the significant shifts that are happening in our field. Among others, these include:
Declining enrollments and an increase in competition
Greater scrutiny of a traditional college education’s return on investment, from both students and their families
Increased pressure to improve academic performance and adaptability, especially considering both the opportunities and challenges that AI has brought to the table
A growing demand from employers for candidates who have a global mindset and the skills and experiences needed to navigate work in a globalized world
So, it’s time to shake things up a bit, time for a fresh vision of what higher education has the power to achieve, and time to meet today’s students where they are—which is in a very different world from students who grew up in recent decades. There’s a need for innovative solutions and high-impact experiences that capture students’ shrinking attention span from day one.
Enter FYE programs.
Especially in the current climate, we strongly believe that FYE programs are a smart investment for all universities. Backed by research, they have huge benefits for both the students who participate in them, and the institutions that weave them into the curriculum.
HOW FYE PROGRAMS MAKE AN IMPACT FOR STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITIES
FYE programs support students at a crucial stage of their academic career, playing a key role in easing their transition from high school to college. Beyond adding an attractive option for prospective students and their families, as well as nudging up retention rates, FYE programs have so much to contribute to the student experience, especially when travel—domestic or international—is involved. And their ROI for universities is also undeniable.
FYE programs spark a sense of curiosity in students as they interact firsthand with locations previously unfamiliar. They engage authentically with the diverse communities who live in these places becoming exposed to new languages, cultures and customs, and ways of thinking. Students can broaden their global perspectives and improve their cultural competence. They are later more likely to embrace an attitude of empathy and understanding with others who have different backgrounds than they do. They also develop a strong sense of place.
FYE programs help socially. They inspire connections which lead to community building. Students who travel as a group create closer bonds with one another through shared experiences, giving them a feeling of belonging and staving off isolation and loneliness. These are key factors in retention rates.
These programs equip students with some essential life skills. Immersed in real-world learning experiences beyond the classroom walls, students are able to think more critically, develop a greater sense of independence, and become better problem solvers—all of which lend a hand to academic achievement. They also learn to become more flexible, adaptable, resilient, and collaborative, gaining the confidence they need to not only survive freshman year but to thrive as they continue to follow the map of their educational journey and navigate future challenges both academically and professionally.
Universities that invest in FYE programs often see stronger student engagement, an increase in alumni loyalty, and longer-term benefits like improved reputation and the ability to attract prospective students looking for more meaningful educational experiences.
CASE STUDY: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S GLOBAL SCHOLARS
One standout example of recent FYE programming that the team at EdOdyssey has created is for Northeastern University’s Global Scholars in both the San Francisco Bay Area of California and the Northeast—a collaboration that has been ongoing since the program’s inception in 2022.
Each semester, we lead a cohort of students on a series of thoughtfully planned day trips and weekend excursions to take a deep dive into their local area and connect with the community through a variety of activities that tap into different areas of history, culture, activism, and more.
The result? A transformative experience for freshman-year students that builds independence, increases awareness of local and global issues, instills a stronger sense of place, and fosters deeper connections within the student community.
Though the program has yet to produce its first graduating class, it’s already clear that students who participate are thriving at the university.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025 FYE CONFERENCE IN NEW ORLEANS
In February, EdOdyssey President and Founder Peter McGovern presented at The 44th Annual Conference on the First Year Experience with Northeastern University’s Director of Global Network First Year Programs, Dr. Shannon Fairley-Pittman.
Their topic was “Reframing FYE Programs: Leveraging FYEs for Institutional & Student Success." They emphasized the importance of aligning FYE programs with institutional missions and strategic plans, involving key stakeholders, and identifying actionable strategies to develop or refine FYE opportunities. This led to some excellent questions and thought-provoking conversations about the evolving role of study abroad and domestic experiential learning.
The conference itself was characterized by innovative ideas and inspiring moments with people who are truly dedicated to FYE programming, curriculum, and the support of students during this key period of transition.
One key theme that emerged? Intentionality.
It’s clear that institutions are looking for innovative ways to make FYE programs more impactful, inclusive, and strategically aligned with their goals and learning outcomes. There’s a need for deeper collaboration and more intentional customization to meet the diverse needs of today’s students. In program design, student support, and institutional partnerships, the consensus was that a thoughtful and student-centered approach is essential for success.
HOW TO APPROACH AN FYE PROGRAM
There are many different approaches to developing FYE programs, including in location, timing, length, and leadership, but the most successful share a few characteristics:
Experiential learning that centers on immersion and allows students to authentically engage with the place they are exploring.
A focus on connection where students are given ample opportunities to interact not only with the local community but with their peers, to build bonds and make lasting memories.
An alignment with learning outcomes and institutional goals, like a university’s mission to equip students with the mindset and knowledge to thrive in a globalized world or to focus on the skills and experiences that will contribute most to career readiness.
A partnership in which a university’s vision can be thoughtfully transformed into a meaningful itinerary that leans into local connections, along with confident organizers and leaders who can bring these experiences to life for students in a powerful way.
There are different models to consider too:
A full semester abroad. On one end of the scale would be a full international semester with an itinerary that ties in closely to key learning outcomes.
A semester of experiential learning domestically. Many universities consider domestic semesters that are packed with real experiential leaning activities that take students beyond their campus borders, much like our Northeastern University example above.
Faculty-led short-term programs. Another popular option is faculty-led experiences, something that we work on with many of our partner institutions. These are usually short-term programs that might happen during the summer before school starts or at some other point during the first year of college. They focus on experiential learning within small or mid-sized cohorts an could take place domestically or internationally.
Orientations, workshops, and seminars. And lastly, there are summer orientations, or pre-arrival workshops or seminars, that are designed to create opportunities for connection and ease students into their program.
We believe that any of these models should be approached with intentionality and a strong alignment with learning objectives and institutional goals as well as the specific needs of students today.
AN INVESTMENT IN SUCCESS: FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITIES
With a decade of work in the world of both secondary and higher education, we’re ideally positioned at EdOdyssey with our knowledge and skillset to bridge the two through meaningful FYE programs. Each program we create is different—tailored to the needs and expectations of our institutional partners while allowing students to explore their academic interests, create social connections within their peer group, and build local ties through community engagement activities.
More and more colleges and universities are realizing that FYE programs are not just a good way to stand out; rather, in an increasingly competitive higher education field, they’re becoming a strategic imperative. And as Yeats reminds us, education isn’t just about filling minds with facts—it’s about lighting a fire that will burn brightly throughout a college career and even later into life. Thoughtfully designed FYE programs aim to do exactly that—inspire, connect, and invigorate.
So if you’re exploring ways to build an FYE program into your own curriculum, reach out; we offer full support, a decade of experience, and an understanding of the unique challenges associated with First Year Experiences.
