First-Year Programs is committed to assisting new students in achieving a successful transition to Missouri State University’s community of scholars.

Our mission is realized through the following means:

  • Promoting a deeper understanding of the Public Affairs Mission and its wider societal impact.
  • Helping students build the necessary skills to be academically successful.
  • Assisting students to establish campus connections and form a supportive network of faculty, staff, and other students.
  • Developing ethical leaders and positive role models through the Peer Leader program.
  • Offering professional development opportunities for instructors to collaborate and enhance their pedagogical skills.

Through the administration of GEP 101: First-Year Foundations, Peer Leader program, and instructor professional development, First-Year Programs serves as an academic cornerstone to assist students in attaining the University’s guiding purpose, which is “to develop educated persons.”

Sharing information with GEP 101 instructors and students

Due to the volume of information sharing requests targeting GEP 101 instructors and students, First-Year Programs asks you to submit information to FirstYearPrograms@MissouriState.edu no later than Monday of the week to be distributed in our Friday instructor updates. Note: FYP cannot guarantee all information will be shared; information is prioritized to align with course learning goals and relevance to first-year students. If you wish to distribute a flyer we request you submit a PDF format, preferably in a smaller file size (e.g., less than 1 MB). Thank you for your cooperation, as this helps us manage the flow of information to our instructors.

Resources

GEP 101 Instructors

Recruitment information and resources for instructors

Peer Leaders

Learn more about becoming a Peer Leader!

Students

Useful links for current GEP 101 students

First-Year Programs Information
University Community Links

Contact Information

​​​​​​​Staff

Dr. Tracey Glaessgen
Director, First-Year Programs/Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition
TraceyGlaessgen@MissouriState.edu

Suzanne Mwengi
Academic Administrative Assistant, Center for Academic Success and Transition
 
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