Freshman Interest Groups

Lawrence Center 223
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-3544
Fax: 610-436-2600
FIGs@wcupa.edu

Undergraduate Studies and Student Support Services

FIGs Homepage

What is a Freshman Interest Group (FIG)?

Freshman Interest Groups gather students in small groups (24-35) to live and learn together during their first semester at WCU. FIG students live near each other in the residence halls and take a pair of classes together that are based on a common theme. This arrangement helps ease the transition from high school to college by helping students make friends more quickly and connect with University faculty and staff. Students who are living on campus and students who are commuting can both participate in the program.

How will a FIG Benefit You?

Eases your transition from high school to college
Connects your interests to courses that are general education or major requirements, and the credits you earn will count toward graduation requirements
Provides you with social connections with others who share your interest
Supports you with a peer leader who will help you understand critical academic, social, and calendar factors
Enables you to generate academic partnerships with classmates, peer leaders, and faculty which can lead to higher grades

How do FIGs work?

Enrolled WCU students register online by mid-April to reserve a spot in the FIGs they prefer
Small groups of 25-35 incoming first-year students “live and learn” together their first semester
Students take two classes that incorporate the FIG theme, and they live near each other in the residence halls or they commute to campus
Faculty address the FIG topic area in their courses and closely coordinate with one another
Students are assigned a peer leader to help them transition to college and enjoy the benefits of working, studying and socializing together
Your roommate does not have to participate in the FIG program

Visit the USSSS Web Site to view a full listing of our programs

Groups

American Outlook – HIS150 & PSC100

Early Grade Prep majors and pre-majors

Explore American history, culture, and government
Both courses are required for education majors and also meet general education requirements

Celebrating Difference — PSY120 & SWO225

For most majors

Examine ethnicity, race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation and much more in the context of families, law, and society.
Gain cultural competence and reflect on widespread assumptions.

Economic Realities – ECO111 & GEO101

For Business majors and pre-majors

How do money and prices and geographic resources interrelate? Examine essential business concepts while applying macro-economic principles to geographic realities.
Both courses count toward all business degrees.

Leadership Academy – WRT120 & SPK208

(Writing SAT of 490–610 required)

For all majors

Write and speak while participating in career and academic advising to help you develop educational and career goals.
Both courses count for all majors

Making a Difference: Leadership for Change – WRT220 & SPK208

(Writing SAT 620 + and record of co-curricular and /or community service required)

For all majors

Designed for students who have a passion for involvement in school and community
Use blended assignments and service-learning activities to advance personal leadership development and empower community change
Both courses count for all majors

Multicultural Voices – PSY120 & SPK208

For most majors

Understand the ways that ethnicity, race, class, religion, gender, and sexual orientation affect individuals and groups in our society.
Consider the impact of these critical components of identity on real people and on yourself.

Pop Culture – WRT120 & SPK208

(Writing SAT of 490–610 required)

For all majors

Popular culture permeates our lives through entertainment, media, clothing, sports, technology, and food, so taking the time consider the impact of popular culture in our lives allows us to gain control over how we live
Both classes count for all majors

Sustainable Lives — SOC200 & GEO101

For most majors

Examine how different societies damage or sustain their environments and their people
Develop ideas to resolve critical problems in our lives

Frequently Asked Questions

2012 FIG Students' Sucess at WCU

• 20% of FIG students made the Dean’s List (3.67 or better)

• 72% of FIG students earned a 3.0 or better

• 85% of FIG students found it helpful to study with their FIG classmates

• 90% of FIG students report being very satisfied with their FIG experience

• 94% of FIG students would recommend the FIG to a friend

For the first time in fall 2013, WCU will offer a FIG for students who want to participate in the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Leadership and Civic Engagement (UCP-LCE). Those students who qualify should register for Making a Difference: Leadership for Change.

What are the different FIGs I can choose from?

American Outlook (for Early Grade Prep majors and pre-Majors)
Celebrating Difference (for most majors)
Economic Realities (recommended for Business Majors and Pre-Majors)
Leadership Academy (for all majors)
Making a Difference: Leadership for Change (for most majors)
Multicultural Voices (for all majors)
Pop Culture (for all majors)
Sustainable Lives (for most majors)

What are the benefits of a Freshman Interest Group?

Participating in a FIG improved students' academic performance.
FIGs provided a ready network of potential friendships.
FIGs helped students' adjustment to university life
Students agree that they would participate in the FIG again if given the chance.
FIG faculty offer activities outside of class and join students at social events.

Why do some FIGs require a certain SAT score?

FIGs that include a WRT120 class require an SAT-Writing score between 490-610 because WCU uses SAT scores for writing placement. If your SAT-Writing score does not fall in that range, you cannot participate in those particular FIGs. The following FIGs require your SAT-Writing score be between 490-610:

Leadership Academy
Pop Culture

Making a Difference: Leadership for Change includes WRT220 as one of its classes. WRT220 requires a minimum Writing SAT of 620.

Do I automatically get selected for a FIG when I send in my admissions application to WCU?

No. You must complete the online FIG registration form to request placement in the FIGs. We will review your application and students who qualify for their selected FIG will be admitted on a first-come/first-served basis. Be sure to rank your preferences since the FIGs fill quickly. Your registration in will be confirmed by e-mail.

How do I register for a Freshman Interest Group?

Online Registration Form

Do I get to choose my roommate?

Yes, FIG students are able to request a specific roomate. Additionally, your roommate does not have to be participating in the Freshman Interest Group program. Follow the directions you will receive from housing on how to request a specific roommate.

Is there any extra cost for joining Freshman Interest Groups?

No. There is no additional cost for joining a FIG.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Prof. Ann Colgan, acolgan@wcupa.edu for questions related to academics.

New Student Program’s Director, Jared Brown, jbrown@wcupa.edu for questions related to student programs.

FIG Students Explain

See more of what FIG students have to say about the FIG programs!

FIG Faculty Profiles 2013

Dr. Cynthia Benzing

cbenzing@wcupa.edu

Education
BS Psychology, Penn State University
MBA Drexel University
PhD Economics and Finance, Drexel University

Teaching/Research Interests:
Small business management
Entrepreneurs in developing countries
Pricing behavior in eBay auctions
Program assessment

Fun Facts/ About Me
I enjoy camping, hiking and traveling, but most of all, I enjoy kids. My husband and I have been foster/ adoptive parents for 25 years.

Dr. Anne E. Krulikowski

akrulikowski@wcupa.edu
610-436-2201

Education
BA British/American Literature, Immaculata College
MA British/American Literature, Villinova University
MA American History, Villanova University
PhD American History, University of Delaware

Teaching/Research Interests:
American city and suburb
Vernacular architecture
Gilded Age
1920's
Public history

Fun Facts/ About Me
I give architectural walking tours of several Philadelphia neighborhoods
I travel every chance I get and like going anywhere new but enjoy returning to Britain again and again
I play tennis and just got a new bicycle

Dr. Bill Lalicker

wlalicker@wcupa.edu
610-436-2268

Education
B.A., English Major, Philosophy minor, Loyola Marymount University
M.A., Ph.D., English, University of Washington (Seattle)
Doctoral qualifications: Shakespeare; Milton; Joyce; British Romanticism; Critical Theory;
Theories of Imagination Dissertation: The Interdisciplinary Imagination and the Teaching of Writing

Teaching/Research Interests:
Critical theory: rhetorical theory; basic writing; writing pedgogy; intercultural rhetoric; writing program administration; international education

Fun Facts/ About Me
I have wide interests: cooking good food, hiking beautiful trails, experiencing cultures broadly. I've taught or lectured in China, Costa Rica, England, the Netherlands, and Poland. My command of Mandarin Chinese is very rudimentary and I'm out of practice, but I would like to become truly fluent in writing and speaking it - so let me know if you can help!

Chris Stangl

cstangl@wcupa.edu
610-436-2743

Education
B.A., Political Science, Philosophy and Economics, Drake University
M.A., Political Science, University of Wisconsin Madison
PhD, Political Science, University of Wisconsin Madison

Teaching/Research Interests:
Political Theory - especially American Political Thought
Constitutional Law - especially First Amendment

Fun Facts/ About Me
I grew up on a farm in rural Iowa
I try to integrate irrelevant tidbits like this into class discussion
I like to keep my students guessing; don't think that there's any one perspective that I want to hear, I'm just looking for engaged discussion.

Kristen B. Crossney

kcrossney@wcupa.edu
610-436-2343

Education
PhD Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University
MA Urban Studies, Temple University
BS Geography and Environmental Science, Univ. of Maryland

Teaching/Research Interests:
Housing and community development
Mortgage discrimination patterns
Neighborhood revitalization

Fun Facts/ About Me
My house has over 350 plants on less than one tenth of an acre
My iPod playlist includes Jack Johnson, Vampire Weekend, JayZ, Linkin Park, and of course, music from the cast of Glee.

Wendy A. Smythe

wsmythe@wcupa.edu
610-436-2500

Education
AOS with Honors Culinary Institute of America
BA Penn State University
MA West Chester University

Teaching/Research Interests:
Public Speaking; Business and Professional Speaking

Fun Facts/ About Me
I own a consignment shop in New Square called Stuff. I enjoy garage sales, yard sales and anything involved with antique, vintage and cool stuff. I like spending time with my son David, husband Larry and dog Rosie. Rosie rules the nest, I also like to garden, cook and read.