A student’s first year of college is a critical time that can shape their academic trajectory, sense of belonging and long-term success. Research from the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) underscores the profound impact of structured first-year experiences, showing that students who participate in first-year seminars, residential learning communities in university housing and high-impact practices (HIPs) are more likely to persist, achieve higher GPAs and engage meaningfully with faculty and campus resources. First-year experiences provide students with the foundation to develop self-efficacy, academic confidence and essential career competencies, setting the stage for long-term achievement.
At Cal Poly, strengthening first-year experiences is a focus of Student Success and Academic Innovations & Programs in Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management-Student Affairs. This strategic priority aligns with the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 Year of Engagement goals of increasing clear curricular and co-curricular pathways to students’ academic and career goals, providing opportunities to gain real-world skills and to build professional networks through experiential learning, and advancing personalized journeys to success. To advance this mission, we seek a faculty member to support benchmarking and developing strategies around such topics as examples: first-year preparation and orientation courses (e.g., UNIV 100), evaluating high-impact educational practices (HIPs), and enhancing academic- and career-integrated learning within first-year programming, service learning and residential learning communities.
The Faculty Fellow for First-Year Experiences will assess and improve evidence-based first-year initiatives that ensure students transition successfully into college, develop a strong sense of belonging and community, and acquire the skills necessary for academic and career success while in college. This includes but is not limited to:
- Benchmarking and making recommendations to structure first-year courses at Cal Poly SLO and Solano campuses, as well as their learning communities and orientation programs against peer institutions.
- Researching national best practices for FYE to inform practices at Cal Poly.
- Assessing the implementation of High-Impact Practices (HIPs) across Cal Poly in the first year of the student experience to ensure they are effectively engaging students in meaningful learning.
- Exploring Residential Learning Community structures and mapping outcomes against national best practices, identifying gaps and strengths in existing programs, and developing recommendations to enhance the current RLCs as a core HIP/ part of the FYE.
- Enhancing academic and career readiness by exploring the ways in which other universities approach embedding career competencies (e.g., teamwork, communication, problem-solving) into first-year curricula and co-curricular programming.
- Aligning first-year experiences with efforts to enhance student degree completion, reduce opportunity gaps and strengthen first-year retention and persistence.
- Collaborating with faculty, staff and administrators to develop innovative, equity-centered approaches that support first-year students on their journey to success.
This Faculty Fellow role is ideal for faculty members passionate about student success, engaging with beginning students as they start their college experiences, advancing equitable education and exploring evidence-based teaching and learning practices.
The Faculty Fellow reports to the Associate Provost for Student Success. In addition, the Fellow will also be responsible for sharing reoccurring progress updates with the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and other leaders as requested.
Appointment & Compensation
The Faculty Fellow for First-Year Experiences appointment would ideally start in winter 2026. The appointment is inclusive of spring 2026 and summer 2026 is a possibility. The appointment may extend through all term 2026, depending on the fellow’s availability and program needs. The role comes with 12 Weighted Teaching Units (WTUs) or 4 WTUS of reassigned time per term. The successful candidate will retain their faculty appointment in their home department.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Faculty Fellow for First-Year Experiences is expected to establish ongoing collaboration with Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management-Student Affairs to ensure coordinated student success support and enhance overall student experience. Key responsibilities will include, but is not limited to, three key areas: Benchmarking & Program Assessment, Enhancing High-Impact Educational Practices (HIPs), and . Academic & Career Readiness Integration.
Application Process
To apply, please submit:
- C.V.
- A one-page statement of interest explaining how your background and experience qualify you for the Faculty Fellow for First-Year Experiences role.
- Confirmation that you have consulted with your head/chair with a positive indication of their support for your release time.
Review of rolling applications will begin the week of Oct. 13, 2025. Open until filled. Application materials should be submitted to Dr. Susan M. Cheng, Associate Provost for Student Success, at scheng45@calpoly.edu.
