![\"Jacqueline](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/615\/2023\/01\/Nguyen_Jacqueline-300x350-1-257x300.jpg\")
\u201cWe want students to be successful at the college level in a couple of key areas,\u201d added Jackie Nguyen, associate professor and chair of educational psychology and the other leader. \u201cOne is self-efficacy and the other is fostering a sense of belonging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The experience also gives students a chance to get to know faculty, staff, advisors and other students in education, increasing their sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is nice to have the School of Ed students together because we are able to frame the toolkit through the lens of education, Nguyen added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Women\u2019s Giving Circle, a group of donors who pool their contributions to support education research and programs, has funded the effort since it started as a pilot project in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year, more than 100 first-year education students took part in the experience, which has expanded its approach over the years and now offers one academic credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students who have chosen or are considering majoring in education are grouped in sections of 10 to 15 people, depending on whether they plan to become elementary\/high school teachers, early childhood educators or major in American Sign Language\/English Interpreting. Instructors like Angel Hessel, distinguished lecturer in Teaching and Learning, and Pam Conine, clinical professor and director of the American Sign Language\/English interpreting program, help out. Many of the facilitators who have been involved volunteer their time above and beyond their regular duties. In addition to faculty and other instructors, many School of Education advisors have been involved in the experience over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students who are planning to teach can explore the major in general, and learn about specific aspects, Nguyen said. For example, they can talk about student teaching and how that will fit with their other studies and outside jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Jumpstart Experience is designed to be interactive, and responsive to student needs, according to Nguyen and Page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re asking them key questions like what\u2019s going really well for you at 51ÁÔÆæ,\u201d said Page. \u201cWhat\u2019s not going well, and what do you have questions about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In each section those answers may vary, he said. \u201cSo, we\u2019re custom fitting it live in real time for the benefit of students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a student is struggling in an area, said Page, \u201cwe can say let us introduce you to this office you didn\u2019t even know existed on campus that can help you manage the moment that you\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The experience is not a course or a seminar, said Nguyen. It\u2019s designed to be low stress without major assignments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One project that First-Year Experience students do get involved in \u2013 and enjoy \u2013 is creating presentations for fellow students about topics that interest them and may be helpful to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLearning about these topics with others was a great way to cross-pollinate the sections and for them to learn from each other as a whole in addition to what they\u2019re getting section by section,\u201d said Page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, students created presentations on where to study on campus, how to get around Milwaukee on public transit and discounts available to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or students can record quick study tips on their phones and upload them to Canvas to share with others. \u201cThose recordings are fabulous,\u201d said Nguyen. \u201cThey have so much fun with them and give great tips.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Page and Nguyen are researching the impact of the Jump Start Experience, comparing students who choose to take part with those who don\u2019t each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to demonstrate that there is an impact on students, even for the relatively short period of time and touch points with them,\u201d said Page. \u201cThey have gains in their confidence in their ability to do college.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The School of Education\u2019s First-Year Experience is highlighted in the university\u2019s 2030 plan as a model of how to get students engaged in their major and the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe see some positive changes in their feeling about attending 51ÁÔÆæ and being an education major,\u201d Nguyen added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More generally, the school has seen some impacts on student retention since the JumpStart First-Year experience started in 2019, according to Nguyen and Page. \u201cWe\u2019re not saying this is the only cause, but we have a greater percentage of students who stay in the major and stay at 51ÁÔÆæ compared to the time before we had this experience,\u201d said Page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Jeremy](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/615\/2023\/01\/Page_Jeremy-300x350-1-257x300.jpg\")