First-Year Academic Experience
Freshmen Interest Groups (FIGs)
Students live and work together. Students are assigned to FIGs according to a common interest in a theme of their choice. Student academic success increases when students are placed in cohort learning communities guided by professors who share academic interests with students. Students are assigned to FIGs according to a common interest in a theme of their choice.
Core Curriculum
The FIGs consist of first-year core courses: Introduction to College Writing, College Writing and Research, Information Technology Literacy for the 21st Century, Presentations, and the First Year Seminar. These courses, taught during the first year, are linked with a collaborative format consisting of a common theme, a team of instructors, project based instruction and ability-based assessment.
First Year Seminar (FC101)
The First Year Seminar helps students engage quickly in the academic and student life on campus. Through self-confrontation and feedback, students learn to better understand themselves, their role in the academic community and, ultimately, forge lasting ties with their professors and classmates.
Ability Based Education
The mission of Mitchell College emphasizes not only mastery of content, but learning those abilities necessary to apply knowledge in everyday practice. Our holistic approach to learning encourages and supports students as they engage in a learning process that transforms them into effective members of our ever-changing world. Students will work to develop their competencies in seven general education abilities: (1) Critical and Creative Thinking, (2) Communication, (3) Diversity & Global Perspectives, (4) Information & Communication Technology Literacy, (5) Problem Solving and Analysis, (6) Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility, and (7) Social Interaction.
Academic Support
Academic support for First-year students is comprehensive and developmental. Services include professional advisors, tutors, and a nationally recognized Bentsen Learning Center.
Academic Advising
Professional advisors play a critical role in the FYC. Advisors assign class schedules, develop early intervention strategies for at risk students, monitor academic progress and help students make a successful transition to college.
Academic Tutoring
Academic tutors are professionals who provide free one-on-one sessions in subject areas, as well as programs to help improve writing, research, and study skills.
Bentsen Learning Center
Our BLC is a nationally recognized support program for students with learning disabilities and/or ADD. The BLC provides on-going student assessment and academic support. The BLC trains and educates faculty and staff in best practices relating to students with learning disabilities.
Career Services
Career Counselors partner with students to prepare them to chart their own career path. The goal is to integrate academic themes with job prospecting. Beginning in the FYC, career initiatives build service learning skills, explore academic majors, and open career vistas across the curriculum.
Disability Student Services
Disability Student Services determines eligibility, approves and coordinates services, auxiliary aids, and academic accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. Disability Student Services is committed to equal accessibility and supports students with disabilities in advocating and engaging in the campus learning and living community to maximize their ability to succeed.
Library & Information Services
Library and Information Services (LIS) supports teaching, learning, scholarship, and innovation through a blending of library, educational technology, and media services. LIS is responsible for furthering Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy as one of the seven core competencies in the College’s Ability Based Education model.
Student Life and Co-Curricular Programs
Student Life Programs
The FYC provides Student Life Programs that involve and engage students. While we provide many programs that entertain students, we also promote activities that involve students in the active process of creating and maintaining clubs and organizations, community service projects, leadership programs, and intercollegiate or recreational-intramural sports.
Living and Learning Communities
The FYC enhances the residence life experience through themed and academic clusters according to students' academic and social interests. These communities are an extension of the FIG initiative providing additional peer and faculty support and cohesion within the living environment.
Recreational Sports Programs
The Athletic and Residence Life departments and the FYC have partnered to offer a recreational and intramural sports program for residential, nonresidential and Thames Academy students.