Five years of FYE: Evolution, outcomes and lessons learned from an institutional program

Abstract

The University of Technology Sydney First Year Experience program is an institution-wide, systematic approach to supporting the transition, retention and success of first year students from low socio-economic status backgrounds, within a philosophy that good practice for these students is good practice for all students. The program is based on third-generation first year practice and transition pedagogies. It includes central and faculty coordinators, small grants and learning communities enabling the development, embedding and sharing of transition practice in the curriculum. This good practice report describes the program, its evolution over five years and its impacts on academic and professional staff engagement and improving the success of students from low socio-economic status backgrounds. Lessons learned about the importance of central and local coordination, sharing practice underpinned by a scholarly framework and the use of data and strategic alignment are highlighted.