FYE 101: Succeed at the G is a 3-credit, Minerva’s Academic Curriculum (MAC) Foundations course designed to help new students transition successfully to academic and student life. Students will connect with the UNCG community, campus resources and opportunities, while developing skills essential for academic success, and beginning their journey to discover their own purpose and potential.
FYE 101: Succeed at the G is designed to address the key transition points that new students encounter throughout their first year at UNC Greensboro while framing the information relative to the student population.
There are three student learning objectives tied to FYE 101: Succeed at the G, all of which are intended to help students excel at the G. The learning objectives are achieved through meaningful assignments, readings, and in-class discussions and activities. For more information, click here to view a sample syllabus [.pdf]. This sample syllabus provides a breakdown of topics covered in FYE 101. Many sections are dedicated to specific academic cohorts which provide a tailored experience to make the course more applicable to their transition.
As a result of this course, students will:
Connect with the UNC Greensboro Community
- Form strong social connections by developing positive relationships with peers, staff, and faculty to develop a sense of belonging.
- Understand the vast array of support services and resources available and experience meaningful exposure and use of these resources.
- Build an affinity for UNC Greensboro through engagement and understanding of the university’s mission and vision, history, traditions, and values.
Foster Academic Success
- Learn academic skills and techniques in addition to exercising critical thinking and critical reflection to improve academic performance.
- Identify and use campus services and resources that contribute to their learning and success both within and beyond the classroom.
- Critically evaluate information in a variety of formats and accurately incorporate credible information.
Engage in Personal Development
- Explore their sense of purpose, meaning, and direction as they begin their college experience.
- Practice self-reflection and self-exploration.
- Connect personal interests, values, and strengths with potential academic majors, goals, and career paths.
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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
Peer Academic Leader of the Year Award
2018-2019 Destiny Harrison
2019-2020 Lex Lee
2020-2021 Deymaris Zambrana-Soler
2021-2022 Joshua Burns
2022-2023 Alex Little
“Lead by Example” PAL Award
2018-2019 Manuel Valdez Perez
2019-2020 Hailey Paivanas
2020-2021 Joshua Burns
2021-2022 Briana Coleman
2022-2023 Kaleigh Del Greco
“Spartan Spirit” PAL Award
2018-2019 Korin Norton
2019-2020 Brian Garcia
2020-2021 Mikala Hopson
2021-2022 Rebecca Yakel
2022-2023 Maggie Seye
“Helping Hand” PAL Award
2018-2019 Olivia Tarpley
2019-2020 Mikala Hopson
2020-2021 David Nguyen
2021-2022 Olivia Carratello
2022-2023 Sarahi Martinez-Galvan