First Year Experience

As you transition to college life, take advantage of the guidance and support specifically available to new students as you learn to navigate the wealth of resources and opportunities WCU has to offer. 

• We encourage new students to have pride of place, embrace civic responsibility and develop a sense of connectivity with each other and with WCU.
• We recognize that your academic success is entwined with co-curricular, social, and life events. 
• Your first year is when you will begin to clarify your values as you make meaning of new understandings. 
• Chart an academic pathway that will help to determine your success in college and for your future.

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First-Year Experience: Initiatives

One Book

Each first-year student is given a copy of the One Book during Orientation for FREE!  The mission of the One Book common reading program is to engage first-year students, as well as the campus community, in a common intellectual experience that promotes critical thinking and interdisciplinary conversation.

Learn more about the One Book

New Student Convocation

New Student Convocation is an important event that marks the official welcome to the university.  We are excited to congratulate and celebrate the arrival of WCU's new students with an event you will not forget. 

Learn more about New Student Convocation

Transition Pathway Courses

First-year students will enroll in one of the Pathways offered to guide a successful transition to college.  You will be introduced to the academic, procedural, and social elements of your new community.

Whee Call YOU!

Whee Call U is a WCU tradition that aims to make personal contact with each new student (first-year and transfer) before the fifth week of each semester.  The goal is to personally touch base with each and every student enrolled at WCU. Whee just want to make sure each of our new Catamounts are settling in and finding the resources they need to succeed!

First-Year Experience: Student Transitions

Learn more about how First-Year Experience aligns with Western Carolina University institution wide iniatives through Student Transitions.

Learn more about the Chancellor's List Celebration.

Learn more about Tau Sigma Alpha; WCU's transfer student honor society.

First-Year Experience: Intention and Purpose

First-Year Experience Cabinet

The FYE Cabinet is a body of committed faculty and staff who share the common focus of "student-centered" in intent, goals, actions, learning outcomes.

• Foster inclusive learning environments that will empower successful learning outcomes;
• Facilitate collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff that embrace diverse perspectives;
• Focus students towards intentionality through SMART goals, purposeful action, and critical reflection.
• Facilitate opportunities to help students synthesize new understandings and experience.

First-Year Student Advocate

Each academic year, WCU nominates an outstanding faculty or staff member to represent the insitution for the University of South Carolina's Outstanding First-Year Student Advocates award.