Linda Krzykowski, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost for Student Engagement and Executive Director of the First Year Experience
Student Engagement is housed within the Office of Academic Innovation and Student Success and works to provide opportunities and pathways for students to be active and engaged in their studies both inside and outside the classroom. We offer First Year Experience (FYE) programs for both freshman and transfer students. Students find many different ways to connect with their professors, including:
- Living-Learning Communities provide incoming freshmen and transfers an opportunity to live and take classes with others who share their interests. Students participate with faculty and current UAlbany students in and outside the classroom. Visit the First Year Experience webpage to learn more about our Living-Learning Communities.
- The Freshman Seminar allows students to explore an area of interest and gain insight into the academic expectations of the University at Albany. UAlbany offers 1-credit seminars on a wide variety of topics and 3-credit seminars that focus on the transition to college process and skills necessary to be successful. Freshman Seminars are primarily offered in the fall semester and are limited to about 25 students per section, offering first-year students the opportunity for personal interaction with a faculty member. Students work with their academic advisor to determine which seminar fits their needs and interests and in all FYE options, students will also be introduced to the academic expectations, opportunities, and challenges of University life. Learn more about Freshman Seminars.
- Transfer Student Engagement includes Transfer Communities and special classes to help new transfer students transition to UAlbany and find the academic and social support they need to succeed. Transfer Students should visit the First Year Experience website to learn more about our Transfer Student programs.
- 0-Credit 99 Engagement Classes are designed to help new students connect with others with similar interests, majors, or classes. Advisors will work with new students to determine if a 99 Engagement Class is right for them. Our 99 Engagement Classes are listed on our First-Year Student Programs webpage.
- Food for Thought — A program where students and professors meet for lunch. Learn about Food for Thought on our Faculty Engagement Program webpage.
- Munch with the Majors — Students intending to major in a specific discipline meet faculty and staff from that area and learn how to be successful in that discipline. With a focus on informational conversations over dessert, students learn about undergraduate research opportunities, internships, different tracks within the major, and what successful graduates who have majored in the department have done. Learn about our various majors and minors from professional faculty and staff on the Munch with the Majors website.
- Supporting faculty and staff who volunteer as advisors for students, Clubs and Groups. Learn more about our Faculty Advisor Program.
- Fostering UAlbany academic traditions like the Torch Award and Spark Awards for transformational teaching and Food for Finals. Visit the Faculty Engagement Program website for more information.
Visit the First Year Experience webpage to learn more about other University engagement resources.