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First-Year Experience and Programming

Ignite. Light. Burn Bright.

Northern Kentucky University's first-year students have the opportunity to experience their first year of college in an environment that promotes active learning, collaboration, and personal development through these programs:

  • Alpha Lambda Delta
  • Common Experience
  • First-Year Advising
  • First-Year Seminars (University 101: Orientation to College & Beyond)
  • Learning Communities
  • Student Engagement Experiences

By collaborating with other academic and student development offices and community agencies, First-Year Experience offers these experiences to any freshman, regardless of their academic major or interests.

Our Vision

NKU fosters a first-year learning environment for all students, providing the foundation to thrive as they transition to college degrees.

Our Mission

We aspire to create a coordinated and comprehensive first-year experience to ensure a successful transition, create a sense of belonging, and provide support for any student in their first year at Northern Kentucky University.  Through first-year courses, coordinated services, and robust programming, First-Year Experience will create the opportunity for student success, persistence to degree attainment, and career and community engagement beyond graduation.

Our Outcomes

Northern Kentucky University's Core Values are Excellence, Integrity, Belonging, Innovation, and Collegiality. First-Year Experience's student learning outcomes align with these core values and denote what students will take away from their first year at NKU. 

As a result of a coordinated and comprehensive first-year experience, students will be able to: 

  • Interact with resources on campus that promote student success.     
  • Develop positive relationships with faculty, staff, advisors, and peers.      
  • Become engaged on campus and in the region.
  • Develop skills that foster growth both personally and academically.
  • Investigate academic pathways and associated careers.
  • Engage with individuals possessing different perspectives in a diverse society.
Student talking to person at booth at Major-Minor fair.
Alpha Lambda Delta ceremony
Two students playing Jenga
Group of students standing in lobby of Student Union
Group of students standing in Student Union lobby.
Group of students standing in Student Union lobby.
Students studying in a hallway
Group of students sitting inside gym
Five students dressed in Halloween costumes
Four people standing behind a Hollywood background holding props.
Group of students volunteering outdoors
Students exploring different majors at Major-Minor Fair.
Student talking to person at booth at Major-Minor fair.
Alpha Lambda Delta ceremony

Explore Your Opportunities

academics and careers

Academics & Careers

 

Group of NKU volunteers standing outside

Service and Community

 

Group of students doing yoga outside

Health and Wellness

 

Student working on a large portrait of a face.

Fine Arts

 

NKU male athletes competing in a basketball game.

Athletics