First Year Center helps students transition to life on campus

A new First Year Center aimed at helping new students transition to University life has been established on the Danforth Campus, announced James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

The center, located in the Women’s Building, is being headed by Sharon Stahl, Ph.D., former associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences.

“The goal of this center is to focus on the transition of new students — not just freshmen, but transfer students as well — into the University from their arrival on campus to their engagement with the academic, intellectual and social life of the community,” McLeod said. “Our vision is that each student will experience a great arrival, welcome and transition into campus life.”

In her new position, Stahl will work with all areas of the University that can influence a student’s arrival and transition to campus life, including Student Activities, Residential Life, Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning, Orientation and Parents Programs and dean’s offices. She also will be working with faculty members whose classes are largely inhabited by first-year students.

“I see the biggest part of my job as figuring out meaningful ways of connecting students with faculty members,” Stahl said. “If we strive to know all of our students by name and story, then we certainly will know a person within the University community to connect them with to further enrich the student’s experience here.”