ABSTRACT
Appalachian State University is recognized as an exemplary institution for the attention it gives to its freshmen in the context of learning communities. This is the reason the institution has been selected as one of TIME magazines four exemplary national models for freshman learning (Rutherford, 2001), one of the Policy Center on the First Year of College’s thirteen Institutions of Excellence (2002-2003), and a national recipient of the Noel Levitz Retention Excellence Award (Noel & Levitz, 2002). These accolades resulted from integrating new ideas into a rich legacy of placing first-year students at the center of its mission. During the last thirty years, senior administrators have strongly supported freshman initiatives and have committed personnel and financial resources to their development and institutionalization. Assessment has guided the gradual and consistent modification of policies and programs, results of which are included in this chapter. The goals of this work have remained consistent-to become a “premier comprehensive university and model learning community” (Appalachian State University, 1998, Campus Strategic Plan) while supporting first-year students in developing connections and relationships with faculty, staff, and other students; providing each student with an intentionally integrative academic experience; and insuring that the university’s reputation as a studentfriendly institution remains intact.
