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National Institute for Student Success (NISS)

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First-Year Student Support

Providing extensive support to first-year students.

The NISS Diagnostic identified a key challenge related to untapped potential in first-year support. Temple has recently made efforts to improve the first-year experience by launching the Essential Needs Hub, changing the orientation process, and implementing a First-Year housing requirement. However, programs such as summer bridge, First-Year courses, and clear academic pathways are either not present or not scaled. As a result, data show falling retention rates, attainment gaps between student populations, and frequent major changes among students. 

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The Recommendation

Develop and enhance structured supports to help first-year students succeed academically, find right-fit majors, and make early career connections.

Actions:

  • Enhance mandatory pathways designed to onboard entering students successfully and to help them find their right-fit majors during their first year.
  • Require all first-semester students to participate in a First-Year Experience course and create links between academic and career pathways.
  • Enroll entering students at highest academic risk in a for-credit summer bridge program.

Alignment:

First-Year Student Support is aligned with Forward with Purpose through the Student Success priority. In particular, this recommendation supports the Increase Focus on Educational Outcomes principle through the First-Year Experience project.