Reimagining the First Year Experience: A Student-Centered Approach to Engagement

Life with Suitable

The UMass Lowell Honors College implemented Honors by Design, an innovative program designed to track and enhance students' co-curricular experiences. By leveraging Suitable, the college structured the program around four key competencies that align with the university’s strategic plan:

1. Lowell Passport – Encouraging students to explore campus and community resources
   
   
2. Self-Empowerment – Promoting personal growth and well-being
   
   
3. Professional Development – Providing career readiness experiences
   
   
4. Community & Global Engagement – Fostering civic involvement and cultural appreciation

To further gamify student participation, the college established a tiered milestone system, where students progress through four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum (newly introduced as the highest level).

A key component of the program is the FYSH Badge, which was integrated into the First-Year Seminar Honors experience. This badge is a mandatory requirement, accounting for 20% of students’ grades, ensuring early engagement in the program.

The rollout of Honors by Design was carefully planned to ensure a seamless transition to a more structured system for tracking student engagement. In Fall 2023, the initial launch introduced students to a new method of tracking their co-curricular experiences. By Spring 2024, space limitations affected the First-Year Seminar, prompting a shift to an online format. This change made the integration of Suitable’s FYSH Badge even more critical, ensuring students remained engaged despite the transition. By August 2024, the FYSH Badge was officially launched, becoming a core requirement for first-year students, reinforcing the program’s importance in their academic journey.

To maximize participation and awareness, the Honors College implemented a multi-channel communication and promotion strategy. Student engagement was a top priority, with the FYSH Badge integrated directly into programming, making it a required element of students’ academic experiences. Faculty collaboration played a crucial role, with faculty from RHSA, Career Services, the Co-op Center, and the Manning School of Business aligning events with the program’s objectives. The Honors College also partnered with the National Park Service, utilizing QR codes to encourage student participation in local activities, fostering a deeper connection between students and their community.

Outcomes Achieved

The adoption of Honors by Design resulted in remarkable improvements in student engagement and program effectiveness. The Honors College now utilizes Suitable’s analytics and reporting tools to track participation with greater accuracy. 
The program formalized student engagement, directing students toward meaningful research experiences and professional growth opportunities.

Participation levels reached an all-time high when students were working on their FYSH Badge, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in driving engagement. Students also developed a stronger sense of community, benefiting from a combination of academic, social, and community-building opportunities. Additionally, they appreciated the variety of learning experiences, from scavenger hunts and guest lectures to art studio visits, while the mix of in-person, virtual, and self-paced experiences allowed them to engage in ways that suited their preferences.

Plans for the Future

The UMass Lowell Honors College aims to enhance student engagement by integrating incoming students into their program during summer orientation, allowing them to get a head start on the FYSH Badge. They also plan to reassess the badge based on student feedback, refine transfer student requirements, and rebuild the First-Year Seminar in Canvas for improved accessibility. Additionally, they seek to streamline activity submissions and tracking, reducing administrative workload and enhancing efficiency.

Looking ahead, the Honors College plans to renew its Suitable license, conduct ongoing student surveys, and potentially launch a longitudinal study on student engagement. To increase completion rates, they aim to improve program transparency and integrate Suitable with their LMS. Strengthening community and university partnerships is also a priority, particularly through the Lowell Passport Program and expanded interdisciplinary opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Flexibility is key to navigating shifting needs.
• Clear collaboration with strategic partners ensures alignment.
• Continuous feedback from students and faculty allows for program refinements.
• A mix of online and in-person experiences maximizes student participation.
• What works well for some may not resonate with all--adaptability is crucial.
• Ensuring the program's purposes aligns with students needs leads to higher engagement and success.