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First Year Scholars Program continues open door policy, hires new director

On nearly any given weekday afternoon, there will be a group of students hanging out in Tim Nelson's office in New Mexico State University's Breland Hall. They'll be socializing, eating, doing homework or surfing the Internet between classes.

This welcoming environment is normal and the "open door" policy is something Nelson says the First Year Scholars (FYS) program at NMSU is all about. The program aims to help students find their footing in their first year at NMSU whether they are a first time freshman or a transfer student.

"We want to make sure none of the students fall through the cracks for any reason. This includes financial aid, scheduling, housing or academic issues," Nelson said.

Nelson has recently been appointed to the position of program director. He succeeds Judy Harmon who became the program coordinator for the Student Success Center also on the NMSU campus. In addition to his work with this position, he teaches two history classes and assists with student advising.

Michelle Provencio, graduate assistant; Isabel Garcia, a first year scholar and president of the auxiliary group Gamma Sigma Chi; Tim Nelson, program coordinator for First Year Scholars program; Lyly Valenzuela and Vinte Massey, both first year scholars.

"Judy gave me the foundation for doing the things we did and will continue to do. Academics and socializing go together. We have to let these students know this isn't like high school, and they can't just fade into the background," he said. This is one of the points Nelson hopes to convey to administration and faculty while program director.

Nelson says he will continue with Harmon's vision while incorporating more social events into the program including an auxiliary group, Gamma Sigma Chi. This recently adopted student-run organization is open to anyone who wants to join, as is the First Year Scholars Program. Gamma Sigma Chi plans various activities and get-togethers including ice cream socials, group outings to Aggie sporting events and other networking events with peers.

"First Year Scholars is something everyone should want to be involved in. It puts you into a group and gives you connections," said program graduate assistant Michelle Provencio.

For more information, visit http://firstyear.nmsu.edu/

Written by Daniella De Luca.