First-Year Experience

Freshman Orientation

Freshman Orientation provides students with an understanding of the expectations both in and out of the classroom and sets the foundation for academic success. Throughout Orientation, students will learn about valuable resources on campus, interact with a variety of student leaders, and participate in unique social experiences to make lasting connections with their classmates. Furthermore, Orientation is designed to help students connect with their First-Year Advisors and other University staff members, thereby building the supportive relationships that will sustain them during their years at Rockford University.

First-Year Advisors

The First-Year Advising Program pairs each student entering with fewer than 20 credits with a First-Year Advisor, a specially-trained faculty or academic staff member. Each advisor helps students formulate educational goals prior to starting classes at Rockford University and supports them in attaining those goals during that first year. In addition, one of the advisors from the team will also lead a section of the First-Year seminar course.

First-Year Seminar (FYS 101)

First-Year Seminar introduces the nature of a liberal arts education and the academic skills required for success at Rockford University. Assignments will help students develop and strengthen academic skills in writing, communication and critical thinking. The First-Year Seminar is required of all students entering with fewer than 20 credits.

First-Year Experience Guides (Reggies)

Regent Experience Guides (Reggies) are current students who provide advice, guidance, and connection to first-year students. Reggies will support first-year students with their academic and social experiences at Freshman Orientation & Retreat, First-Year Seminar class, and beyond.