HomePodcastsSpecial Series First-Year Seminars 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 Released: April – June 2025 What are first-year seminars and how do they contribute to students’ college experiences and learning outcomes? In this special series, students in Elon University’s Masters of Higher Education program explore why first-year seminars are considered high-impact educational practices. Episodes What are First-Year Seminars Special Series – First-Year Seminars | Episode 1 In the first episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Megan McMechen discusses what first-year seminars are and why they qualify as a high-impact educational practice. View a transcript of this… A Brief Overview of Research on First-Year Seminars In the second episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Lucy Sneader shares recent research on first-year seminars as high-impact educational experiences. View a transcript of this episode. Show Credits Episode Host Lucy Sneader is Graduate Apprentice for Residence Life… First-Year Seminars and First-Generation Students In the third episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Lauren Feeley shares recent research on how first year seminars can specifically impact first-generation college students. View a transcript of this episode. Show Credits Episode Host Lauren Feeley is Program… The Impact of First-Year Seminars on First-Generation Students Special Series – First-Year Seminars | Episode 4 In this episode, Lauren Feeley interviews Megan McMechen about her experience participating in a first-year seminar as a first-generation college student at a large state school. View a transcript of this episode…. First-Year Seminars and International Students Special Series – First-Year Seminars | Episode 5 In the fifth episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Sara Chilton synthesizes research on how international students are influenced by first-year seminars. View a transcript of this episode. Show Credits… An International Student’s Perspective on First-Year Seminars Special Series – First-Year Seminars | Episode 6 In the sixth episode of our special series on first-year seminars, Sara Chilton speaks with Mary about her experience taking a first-year seminar as an international student. View a transcript of this… First-Year Seminars that Foster Academic Success and Belonging 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… Show Credits Episode Hosts Episodes in this special series were developed by Sara Chilton, Lauren Feeley, Megan McMechen, and Lucy Sneader. 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.
