First-Year Council Notes: Monday, December 8, 2025

11:00 a.m. - noon via Zoom

Membership of First-Year Council for 2025-2026

(listed alphabetically)

Rotating Members

  • Carly Asher-August, COB (member through 2028)
  • Dr. Jamie Atkinson, COE (member through 2028)
  • Dr. Toby Dogwiler, CNAS (member through 2027)
  • Mike Foster, RCASH (member through 2028)
  • Scott Handley, Honors College (member through 2027)
  • Rob Moore, Student Affairs (member through 2027)
  • Dr. Sarah Murray, CHHS (member through 2028)
  • Tracy Stout, LIBR (member through 2028)
  • Dr. Christi Sudbrock, COA (member through 2028)
  • Student Rep, TBD

Ex-Officio Members

  • Dr. Kelly Wood, Associate Vice Provost, Student Success (standing member)
  • Dr. Tracey Glaessgen, Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition (standing member)

Council Charge:

To advise the Executive Director and Associate Director, Center for Academic Success and Transition on initiatives involving the first-year experience (FYE) at Missouri State University. These initiatives include, but are not limited to:  1) developing overarching goals for the first-year seminar course, 2) ensuring the course is designed to increase academic skill building, public affairs awareness, and campus connections, 3) evaluating the effectiveness of the first-year seminar course and recommending changes based upon assessment data, and 4) serving as a liaison with other departments/colleges/student affairs as part of a larger effort to inform and address issues involving first-year students.

Agenda

  1. Convene meeting—
    Members in attendance:  Carly Asher-August, Jamie Atkinson, Toby Dogwiler, Mike Foster, Scott Handley, Sarah Murray, Tracy Stout, Tracey Glaessgen

  2. Updates and Discussion
    • GEP 101 Grade Distribution for fall 2025
      Tracey shared the grade distribution chart with FYC members. Similar to previous years, GEP 101 had approximately 62% A’s and approximately a 12% DFW rate.

    • GEP 101 pay
      No updates at this time though Tracey did mention the idea for an instructor retention model to the Provost for her consideration. When Tracey met with the Provost, she provided an overview of the course, course goals, gen ed goals, catalog description, role of FYC, grade distribution, and Tracey’s vast experience with the course.

    • The role of AI in GEP 101—
      In September meeting, FYC agreed to idea of merging the assignment information literacy with artificial intelligence. Tracey is working with FYC council member, Tracy, to try to pilot an assignment this upcoming spring semester, if ready in time.

  3. Center for Academic Success and Transition
    • Success Coaching— faculty/staff referral and student self-referral
      Title III grant ended Sept. 29, 2025 (five-year grant), so the success coaching program has been revamped. First-time new in college, first-generation students are no longer provided a success coach; however, any student may request a success coach and any faculty/staff member may make a success coach referral. Through week 14, we had 263 students on our case load which has resulted in 211 meetings among 3 coaches. Students who self-refer are much more likely to schedule and meet with a success coach.

  4. Student Success
    • Ready, Set, Register Tabling Event
      Student Success collaborated with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to host four tabling events (Thurs. Oct. 30, Mon. Nov. 3, Tues. Nov. 11, Wed. Nov. 19) during preregistration. Tabling information included checking registration status, answering questions related to financial aid, receiving a bookstore coupon worth 26% off and registration checklist, and entering to win one of four $1,000 scholarships. 597 students participated.

  5. Next meeting—spring 2026
    • TBD