FYE 101: Succeed at the G is part of UNCG’s general education program called Minerva’s Academic Curriculum (MAC) and satisfies the Foundations competency. MAC Foundations courses connect students to the campus community through university transition content, information literacy, and transferable skills acquisition to facilitate academic and personal development. Upon successful completion of this MAC Foundations course, students will:

1. Develop academic skills in order to demonstrate the ability to identify and use campus services and resources (e.g. Library, Writing Center, Speaking Center).
2. Develop goals and plans related to personal purpose, interests, or values between self and community.
3. Build connections between self and peers, faculty, and staff (e.g., UNCG, college/student/department, special interest group, social/leadership/service initiative).
4. Critically evaluate information and media sources in a variety of formats.
5. Incorporate and cite sources accurately and correctly.

Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) serve new students as advocates, teaching assistants, and mentors in a section of the FYE 101: Succeed at the G class, a MAC Foundations Course. This course aims to equip students with the tools and resources to be successful in college. PALs have the distinct leadership opportunity to help the students in their class section transition to college, get connected to campus resources, and establish a sense of belonging here at UNC Greensboro!

PALs love helping new students transition to UNC Greensboro. Their roles add such value to the FYE 101: Succeed at the G experience!

• 97%……..of students believed that their PAL genuinely cared about them as a student
• 100%…..of PALs were satisfied with their experience in the role
• 100%…….of PALs reported feeling supported by their FYE instructors
• 100%…….of PALs would recommend the PAL position to their peers

If you are interested in being a PAL in the future, please visit our webpage to learn more about the position.

Do you know of a student who you think would make a great PAL? Please nominate them using our official form.

Thank you for your interest in, and support of, the PAL program. Please contact Emily Wiersma, Director of First Year Experience, at e_wiersm@uncg.edu if you have any questions.

FYE Instructors are UNCG faculty, staff, and graduate assistants that are committed to the success of our new students. FYE Instructors serve as educators, resources, and representatives for UNCG. Working closely with their Peer Academic Leader (PAL), FYE Instructors strive to create lasting connections and impactful learning experiences for their students.

FYE Instructors support new students’ transition to UNC Greensboro!

• 100%….of FYE Instructors believe they benefit from serving in this role
• 100%….of PALS felt connected to and supported by their FYE Instructor
• 98%….of students agreed their FYE Instructor demonstrated excellence in teaching
• 91%….of FYE Instructors would recommend this role to a colleague

If you are interested in being an FYE Instructor in the future, please visit our FYE Instructor webpage to learn more about the position.

Thank you for your interest in, and support of, the FYE 101 Succeed at the G program. Please contact Emily Wiersma, Director of First Year Experience, at e_wiersm@uncg.edu if you have any questions.

FYE 101 Summer Connections is a virtual opportunity for students registered for FYE 101: Succeed at the G for the Fall 2024 semester. Students will have the opportunity to connect with their fellow FYE 101 classmates, meet their Peer Academic Leader(s), who will be in the classroom throughout the semester, and learn more about their MAC Foundations course, FYE 101: Succeed at the G!

This virtual opportunity is happening on August 1, with students being assigned a specific time slot for their FYE 101 course section.

Students, please check your UNCG email for more information about your time slot and access the link for this event! This awesome opportunity is highly encouraged and will be a great way to start the semester off strong and connected!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Ana Castillo-Alaniz, Coordinator of First Year Experience, at amcastilloa@uncg.edu.

UNCG holds a national leadership position in student success, having been named first in North Carolina and in the top twenty among public institutions nationally for social mobility, a measure of graduation rates for low-income students.  UNCG is relentlessly committed to helping students from all backgrounds realize their fullest academic and professional potential.

Reporting to the Office of the Provost, the Division champions student success campus-wide through centralized leadership in academic advising, curricular innovation, new student transitions, and direct support of student learning.  UNCG has developed a comprehensive first year experience program for new students.  Below is the story of why FYE 101: Succeed at the G is crucial to the success of new students and the impact on new students.

Hear what the Fall 2023 cohort had to say about FYE 101: Succeed at the G.

FYE 101 Assessment Overview
FYE 101 Learning Objectives
FYE 101 Comprehensive Report
Fall 2023 Peer Academic Leader Assessment
Campus Partner Workshops

Each year, New Student Transitions & First Year Experience recognizes select individuals who made a significant impact on the FYE 101: Succeed at the G program. All nominations are submitted by our FYE Instructors and PALs, which makes these awards truly special because the winners were selected by their peers. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit nominations, and congratulations to all of our nominees.

2023 – 2024 Peer Academic Leader of the Year Award

Andreeck Aguilar, Senior Kinesiology Major

The “Peer Academic Leader of the Year” award is for the PAL who went above & beyond in their role, & served as a shining example of what the position can be at its best. It is clear the impact this recipient has had & that their peers had plenty of great things to say about them – as evidenced by one nominator who said: “They are an amazingly engaging PAL!” One nominator noted that this person “provided ongoing support to the class, personally and holistically” and “was an honest, authentic role model all semester.” And last but certainly not least, one nominator noted that this PAL helped a number of students in crisis this semester and served as a resource for them whether they remained in FYE 101 for the full semester or not; concluding their nomination with “They are an incredible PAL and an amazing human being!”

2023 – 2024 “Lead by Example” PAL Award

Ivan Tarpley, Junior Communication Studies Major

The “Lead by Example” award is for a PAL whose actions speak louder than words. This PAL may be either an out-in-front or a behind-the-scenes leader, but regardless, their presence is felt in and out of the classroom and they are known for their quality work. According to one nominator, this year’s recipient is “a natural born leader.” One nominator said the recipient “always puts their best foot forward when supporting their fellow PALs and students. They encourage their students to become their best selves and feel connected to UNCG and its abundance of resources.” Other nominators described them as “admirable… unforgettable… someone I want to be like.”

2023 – 2024 “Helping Hand” PAL Award

Shyde’ Underwood, Senior Human Development and Family Studies Major

The “Helping Hand” award is for a PAL who consistently demonstrates a solid work ethic, proactively seeks out opportunities to help others, and is a true team player at heart. One nominator said they are “the definition of a true team player,” while another shared they “embody what it means to be a Spartan and their cheer and joy for the mission of the FYE 101 program and UNCG are things that I look up to.” Another nominator summed up the recipient’s impact by sharing “Without prompting, they were always reaching out to students and PALs, checking in on them, and supporting them in their time of need. They were always available to help those in need and did so with a smile on her face. We couldn’t have done the semester without them.”

2023 – 2024 “Spartan Spirit” PAL Award

Maya Hare, Senior Human Development and Family Studies Major

The “Spartan Spirit” award is for a PAL who is committed to the FYE 101: Succeed at the G program, committed to student transition and success at UNCG, and embodies what it means to be a Spartan. This year’s recipient is someone who “is simply excellent, did everything they signed up for, and delivered above and beyond in every way.” According to one nominator, the recipient “created a sense of community for the PALs” and also included that their “constant support for all of the PALs has helped me get through a challenging semester.” Another nominator said they are “the best role model.” Last but not least, their “support for students and collaboration with their FYE Instructor went the extra mile, and their care for their class was evident.”

PAST FYE 101 AWARD WINNERS

“The Natural” FYE Instructor Award
2018-2019 Brittany Jellison, Assistant Director of Career & Professional Development
2019-2020 Lindsay Davis, First Year Experience Graduate Assistant
2020-2021 Zoe Palomaki, FYE 101 Curriculum Development Specialist
2021-2022 Terry Chavis, Research Assistant for the Department of Teacher Education & Higher Education

“The Expert” FYE Instructor Award
2018-2019 Kathleen McGirty, Assistant Director of the Elliott University Center
2019-2020 Dr. Lake’ Laosebikan-Buggs, Co-Curricular Initiatives Administrator for Student Affairs
2020-2021 Robert Barker, Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
2021-2022 Emily Britt, Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator

Is FYE 101 a required course for all first year students? Do I have to take it?

• FYE 101: Succeed at the G is not currently required, but is highly recommended to first year students as it does count for the required Foundations competency in Minerva’s Academic Curriculum. Are you a new student looking to connect with UNCG, make friends, learn academic skills, and more? Then you should register for FYE 101: Succeed at the G now!

How do I register for the course?

• To enroll in FYE 101: Succeed at the G, please email yfy@uncg.edu with your student ID. You may also seek help with registration by contacting your academic advisor.

How does FYE 101 prepare students for college?

• FYE 101: Succeed at the G familiarizes students with the different campus resources available at UNC Greensboro, teaches them important academic skills that they will use throughout their time here, and engages students in personal development.

What does this course count towards?

• FYE 101: Succeed at the G fulfills the Foundations competency requirement as part of Minerva’s Academic Curriculum (MAC). This course counts towards 3 credit hours.

How many credit hours can a student receive for this course?

• This course counts towards 3 credit hours.

What is the average class size?

• Class sizes are capped at 30 students.

Who teaches FYE 101?

• FYE Instructors are UNCG faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. They are committed to the success of our new students, serving as educators, resources, and representatives for UNCG. Working closely with their Peer Academic Leader (PAL), FYE Instructors strive to create lasting connections and impactful learning experiences for their students. Learn more by visiting the FYE Instructor website.

What is a PAL?

• Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) serve new students as advocates, teaching assistants, and mentors in the FYE 101: Succeed at the G class, a MAC Foundations course.  PALs have the distinct leadership opportunity to help the students in their class section transition to college, get connected to campus resources, and establish a sense of belonging here at UNC Greensboro! Learn more by visiting the PAL website.

Is the course pass/fail?

• No, this course does not work on a pass/fail system. Each student will receive a letter grade based on their performance in the course.

Is the course virtual or in person?

• FYE 101: Succeed at the G is an in-person course.

How often does the class meet? How long are the meeting times?

• The class will meet two times a week for 1 hour and 15 minutes on Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday.

Is this course offered in both the Fall and Spring semesters?

• Yes, FYE 101: Succeed at the G is offered in fall and spring semesters. However, more sections are available in the fall semester.

Are there sections for specific majors?

• Yes, there are sections that are for specific majors/schools, such as the Department of Chemistry, Nursing interest, and Exploratory.

Is this course just for exploratory first year students?

• No, FYE 101: Succeed at the G is open to all first year students. However, there are specific sections just for exploratory students.

Does this course have a required textbook?

• This course does not have a required textbook.