HomeBlogPodcasts First-Year Seminars that Foster Academic Success and Belongingby Sara Chilton, Lauren Feeley, Megan McMechen, and Lucy SneaderJune 5, 2025 Share: Section NavigationSkip section navigationIn this sectionPodcasts – Home 60-Second SoTL Limed: Teaching with a Twist Making College “Worth It” Special Series First-Year Seminars Land Acknowledgement Special Series – First-Year Seminars | Episode 7 In the final episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Sara Chilton, Lauren Feeley, Megan McMechen, and Lucy Sneader discuss best practices for designing and implementing first-year seminars that foster academic success, build a sense of belonging and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in college. View a transcript of this episode. Show Credits Episode Hosts Sara Chilton is Assistant Director of Student Conduct at Elon University and enrolled in Elon’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MHE) program. Lauren Feeley is Program Assistant for Student Involvement at Elon University and enrolled in in Elon’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MHE) program. Megan McMechen is Assistant Director of Data and Recruiting Operations at the Elon University School of Law and enrolled in in Elon’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MHE) program. Lucy Sneader is Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life at Elon University and enrolled in in Elon’s Master of Arts in Higher Education (MHE) program. Production and Art Credits Nolan Schultheis edited the episodes and created the show art. Music (“Bali”) by AudioCoffee: www.audiocoffee.net. The series is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.