Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University's First Year Seminar (FYS): Shared Experience Week has been awarded the Collaborative Excellence Award at the ACPA–College Student Educators International conference held in Long Beach, California. This recognition is given to programs that demonstrate strong partnerships between academic and student affairs, contributing positively to student learning and university life.

The award was accepted by Shannon Hitchcock Schantz, director of FYS, and Jimmy Luckman, former associate director of FYS and current director of the LGBTQA+ Center at Pace University. "We are so honored to receive the Collaborative Excellence Award from ACPA," Schantz expressed. "It showcases what we can accomplish when we work together to impact students’ sense of belonging on campus. Without our over 35 campus and community partners, we would not have been able to accomplish the goals of the Shared Experience Week, so this award is for everyone that has helped this initiative take shape over the last four years."

First Year Seminar is a semester-long, one-credit course initiated in 2021 aimed at fostering community among first-year and transfer students. A key component of FYS is Shared Experience Week, where students engage in service-learning projects both on campus and within the local community. Partners involved include the Office of Student Engagement, Shaw Center, Barnes Center at The Arch, Syracuse University Art Museum, Syracuse Abroad, Rescue Mission, Ronald McDonald House, among others.

To provide more information about involvement opportunities with FYS, two events are scheduled: a faculty panel discussing personal and professional rewards of teaching FYS on March 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence; and an information session for potential lead instructors on April 8 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Peter Graham Scholarly Commons.

For further details regarding lead instructor roles or partnering for Fall 2025's Shared Experience Week, interested parties can contact Shannon Hitchcock Schantz via phone or email.