When she was recruited to teach a course for the First Year Experience (FYE) program at Fresno State in 2015, Dr. Juliet Wahleithner was brand-new to the campus. But it didn't take long for the assistant professor of literacy education to find her true calling: mentoring students.

The FYE placed 100 first-year students (who are also first-generation) in four cohorts; for one year, they took all their courses together. “The goal was to support them as they transitioned into the university, keep them enrolled and help them on their path to graduation," explains Dr. Wahleithner, who teaches courses focused on literacy for undergraduates, teachers' credential candidates and graduate students. The program aligned with the goals of the CSU's Graduation Initiative 2025, which strives to foster a sense of belonging for students on campus, leading to improved student outcomes.

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