About First-Year Initiatives

Our Mission 

First-Year Initiatives seeks to promote student access, engagement and persistence for those matriculating and currently enrolled at the University of Illinois of Chicago.  Through the cultivation of supportive relationships, advocacy, workshop facilitation and referrals, students will gain necessary skills to reach optimal success during the first year at UIC and beyond.

Our Vison 

Students who engage in the Office of First-Year Initiatives will gain a stronger sense of belonging and successfully graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

First-Year Initiatives is committed to: Heading link

Students sitting atop of the SSB deck, with the city skyline behind them
  • Advocating for and empowering students as they navigate the transition from high school to college;
  • Building meaningful and honest relationships with students;
  • Creating an experience conducive to personal and academic growth, while deepening academic purpose;
  • Providing timely and directed coaching, planning, and resource referrals, and a collaborative and supportive environment;
  • Promoting student engagement on campus in ways that leads to student success;
  • Respecting and valuing the diversity of UIC students, their perspectives, life experiences, interest, worldviews, and cultures;
  • Liaising between students, advisors, and support services in order to foster a collaboration that results in student success.