FYE aims to give back to Freshmen

 
Every freshman upon entering their first year wants to feel accepted and meet new people; ‘The First Year Experience’ is a way for freshman to obtain a better sense of unity and togetherness.
This program was started by a desire to reach high school students in the city of Baton Rouge. 
At the time, Ja’el Gordon, who now serves as the Coordinator of Student organizations, was the President of Association of Women Students, along with other members of AWS, initiated high school outreach effort for the freshman class of 2016. 
 ”The purpose of the First -Year Experience (FYE) is to help inbreed a culture into the incoming freshman. So, they could have wonderful experiences,” Gordon said.
The students of First Year Experience have participated in various activities since they have arrived at Southern University.
“They learn different initiatives, whether it’s politics, health, social, and every genre, full every spectrum.  We don’t want to leave them out or think they have been forgotten,” Gordon said.
One activity they were involved in was for voter’s registration.
“We went to various classrooms, asked students if they were registered to vote, registered those who weren’t registered and answered questions for those who had questions,” Nicholas Harris, fashion merchandising major from Shreveport said. After the voter registration efforts, FYE students participated in dormitory and university apartment raids.
For Mentor Academy, FYE students participated in a panel for 11 grade high school students at Mentorship Academy. The students of FYE want to encourage high school students in going to college as well as mentor them.
 ”I loved the panel,” stated Mar’Lesha L. Hollins, freshman, biology major from Jackson, La.
At Mentorship Academy they gave introductions on entrepreneurship and community service ideas. As a panel, they gave feedback on the high school students’ presentations.
First Year Experience have affected the students that are apart of the organization in various ways.
For some students, it has helped them be more social, have more opportunities and make long lasting friendships. 
“Being in the FYE, actually helped me by being in a group with different people who all share the same experience: its our first year of college,” Shukara Edwards, social work major from Shreveport, La., said.
Edwards was able to differentiate similarities and differences between her peers.
“It showed me that everyone is not the same, but everyone has something they wants to do… that really taught me something.”
In FYE, the students get to experience aspect of college life. 
For example, travel to the JSU football game and participating in various college activities.
Upon completion of their freshman year, the FYE students will become mentors for the next incoming freshman class. 
FYE aims to encourage the freshman class to be more involved in the activities on-campus.
For the students a part of FYE, it is not an organization; it is a family. 
The future plans of FYE includes; a visit to McKinley High school, a possible trip to New Orleans, Shreveport and a Big Buddy Program.
“It’s about finding their place. The class of 2016 will be different then any other freshman class,” Gordon said.
At the moment, there are only 22 students involved in the FYE.
If you would like more information, you can contact Ja’el Gordon in 205 on the 2^nd floor of the Union.
You can also find them on www.org.sync.com. You will have to make an account using your college email. You can also find them on twitter and instagram at @FYE_at_SU. Freshman and upperclassmen are welcomed to join.