This past fall, Stetson’s WISE Program (Welcoming Inclusive Support for Emerging students) launched a groundbreaking new initiative: a First Year Seminar (FSEM) course designed specifically for first-generation students, those who are the first in their immediate families to attend college.
Unlike traditional FSEM courses, which typically explore a topic of mutual interest among students, this new course was intentionally crafted to focus on the broader skills and knowledge students need to succeed both in and beyond the classroom. The course serves as the academic centerpiece of the WISE Program, which also includes peer mentorship, personalized advising, and early success coaching.
Associate Professor Jeremy Posadas, PhD, who holds the Hal S. Marchman Chair of Civic and Social Responsibility, led the course and helped shape its integrative approach. “By integrating the academic component through FSEM with the rest of the WISE Program, and the fact that we’re in regular conversation, it means we’re addressing all the different parts of the students’ development,” Posadas explained.”it also means that if I am seeing students struggling academically in the First Year Seminar Class, I can flag it to the rest of the WISE Team.
This holistic support model not only helps students navigate the academic transition to college, but also allows faculty and staff to respond quickly when students need extra help. “If I’m seeing students struggling academically in the seminar, I can flag it to the rest of the WISE team,” Posadas noted.
The pilot seminar reflects Stetson’s growing commitment to inclusive excellence and equity in student success. By embedding support into both academic and co-curricular spaces, the WISE Program is helping first-generation students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.