Welcome from the Dean

Welcome All Newly Admitted Ithaca College Students!

On behalf of the First-Year Experience Coordinating Committee (FYECC), I extend a heartfelt welcome to all members of this year's entering class.  As a new student at Ithaca College, we hope that each of you will accept the responsibility of community membership as you pursue your academic and personal aspirations. We believe that the First-Year Experience that we have created will help you to make an easy transition to Ithaca, and support you in achieving your personal and academic goals. Please take some time to review this web site, as it will provide you with helpful information about the First-Year Experience. I encourage you to take full advantage of each of these opportunities as they will help make your First Year at Ithaca a successful one.

Each year the First-Year Experience Coordinating Committee selects a thematic focus for the incoming class that is grounded in Ithaca College vision statement.  “Character” was selected as the thematic focus for the 2008-2009 academic year.  Through the components of the First-Year Experience Ithaca College students will have both the opportunity and environment to engage in the purposeful processes of reflection and discussion regarding the meaning of character and character development.  Additionally, by actively participating in new experiences and engaging in interactions that challenge pre-existing perspectives, and values, you will strengthen your understanding of the meaning of character, clarify your own character traits, and embrace the importance of ongoing character development.  By embracing the challenges and opportunities afforded through the First-Year Experience, you will become more aware of who you are, the values and actions of the person you would like to become, and learn how to become a person of strong character.

Members of the FYECC are dedicated to planning and implementing educational programs and activities that will assist you in making connections with faculty and staffs and in thinking about the person you would like to become.  As you take action steps to find out more about your own values, members of the Ithaca College community will be available to expose you to diverse ideas, experiences, and people that can enhance and foster your educational and personal development. As Dean for the First-Year Experience and Chairperson of the First-Year Experience Coordinating Committee, I encourage you to take advantage of all these opportunities and spend time reflecting on each of them.

I welcome you to Ithaca College.

Have an outstanding year!

Dr. Roger G. Richardson
Associate Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs/Dean First-Year Experience