CBAT First-Year Experience (FYE)

College of Business and Technology

About CBAT FYE

Your journey in CBAT begins here. The First-Year Experience is more than a single course; it is a yearlong, college-wide initiative designed to foster belonging, connection, and growth.

The program helps students navigate the transition to college, build strong academic and professional foundations, and feel at home in the CBAT community.

Three ETSU CBAT students sit together and study in Sam Wilson Hall.

Our Approach

FYE Programming and Events

From hands-on workshops to creative social activities, events help students connect with peers across the college, strengthen key success skills such as time management and study strategies, and enjoy memorable experiences that make the college feel like home.

FYE Courses

In these courses, students learn how to succeed in college while also discovering what success looks like in their chosen major and industry. Each class blends practical college strategies with real experiences from faculty and professionals in the field.

FYE Peer Leaders

Currently available for Business students, CBAT Peer Leaders provide mentorship, encouragement, and guidance from peers who have already navigated their first year.

ETSU BIGS

Students in other CBAT majors engage in peer mentorship through the ETSU BIGs program, with plans to expand CBAT Peer Leaders across all departments in the near future.

What You’ll Learn in CBAT FYE Courses

Every First-Year Experience course in the College of Business and Technology helps students build the foundation for success in college, career, and life. While each department’s course focuses on its own field, all CBAT FYE courses share common learning goals.

  • Building Success from Your First Semester

    Each major in the College of Business and Technology begins with a First-Year Experience (FYE) course designed to help students successfully transition to college and connect what they learn in the classroom to their chosen field of study. These courses blend practical college success strategies with career exploration, professional skill development, and opportunities to build lasting relationships with classmates, faculty, and industry professionals.

    The FYE courses are required for all first-time freshmen in CBAT and for transfer students who are new to ETSU in select programs. They are an essential part of welcoming every new student to the CBAT community, regardless of where their college journey began.

    CBAT is proud to be the only college at ETSU with discipline-specific FYE courses across nearly every department. These courses are taught by faculty and professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities of your field and are committed to helping you find your path within CBAT.

  • College Success and Belonging
    • Develop strong academic skills such as time management, study strategies, and planning for success.
    • Use ETSU and CBAT resources effectively, including D2L, Navigate, and DegreeWorks.
    • Build confidence, adaptability, and a growth mindset as you transition into university life.
    • Find your place in the CBAT community through connection, involvement, and belonging.
  • Professional and Career Development
    • Strengthen written and oral communication skills for both academic and professional settings.
    • Practice professionalism and ethical behavior, including responsible digital communication.
    • Explore majors and career pathways in your discipline through faculty, alumni, and industry engagement.
    • Begin building your professional identity through tools such as Handshake, LinkedIn, and career reflections.
  • Collaboration and Reflection
    • Work effectively in teams, showing accountability, active listening, and respect.
    • Engage in peer mentorship and collaborative projects that model real-world teamwork.
    • Reflect on personal growth, learning experiences, and future goals throughout your first year.
    • Connect what you learn in the classroom to life, career, and community experiences.

CBAT FYE Courses

BADM 1130: Introduction to Business

Coordinator: Jillian Alexander, Director of First-Year Experience
Contact: alexanderjm@etsu.edu
Offered: Fall and Spring on-ground, and online in the Fall

Students explore what it means to be a successful college student and a future business professional. The course combines essential college success strategies with insight into the business world through interactive discussions, faculty and industry guest speakers, and hands-on learning opportunities. Students gain a better understanding of the functional areas of business, build a professional network, and begin to see how their first year connects to long-term career success.

CSCI 1510: Hello, World! A First-Year Experience 

Coordinator: Corey Dean, Academic Advisor 
Contact: deancm2@etsu.edu 
Offered: Fall and Spring on-ground

This course introduces Computing students to university life and the broad world of computing careers. Students learn strategies for academic success while exploring professional expectations, ethical computing practices, and career pathways in software development, cybersecurity, and information systems. Through collaboration with peers and faculty, students begin to build the confidence and community that will support them throughout their degree. 

DIGM 1510: Student in the University 

Coordinator: Madison James, Creative Director 
Contact: WARNERME@etsu.edu 
Offered: Fall and Spring on-ground 

Designed for Digital Media students, this course emphasizes both academic success and creative identity. Students engage with the department’s technology, tools, and creative culture while developing time management, study, and communication skills. Faculty and guest speakers help students understand industry expectations and pathways in areas like animation, visual effects, and interactive design, fostering early professional connections and belonging within the creative community. 

New for Fall 2026 MDCM 1510: Media and Communication FYE (Title Forthcoming) 

This course will introduce Media and Communication students to the foundational skills, habits, and knowledge essential for success in both college and the media industry. Students will explore storytelling, ethical communication, digital fluency, and professional identity through hands-on projects, faculty interaction, and reflective practice. Emphasis will be placed on community building, confidence, and career exploration across areas such as journalism, advertising, and digital media. 

New for Fall 2026 SARM 1510: Sport and Recreation Management FYE (Title Forthcoming) 

This course helps students transition into the university while exploring leadership and community engagement through the lens of sport and recreation. Students develop academic and professional skills, build confidence through teamwork, and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. Through guest speakers, community-based projects, and reflection, students learn how sport and recreation contribute to personal well-being, inclusion, and community development. 

CBAT Peer Leaders

CBAT Peer Leaders focus on helping you grow both academically and personally by offering guidance, encouragement, and practical advice from a student perspective. 

Mentorship is a core part of the CBAT experience, and the CBAT Peer Leader Program is the first step in showing what mentorship can look like. It reinforces the college’s commitment to connection, growth, and community.  

  • Supporting Your Success from Day One 

    The CBAT Peer Leader Program connects first-year students with experienced CBAT student mentors who are here to help you navigate your transition to college life. Peer Leaders understand what it is like to be new to ETSU and are committed to helping you feel supported, connected, and confident during your first year. 


    Through monthly meetings and regular communication, Peer Leaders build relationships with first-year students and serve as a bridge between you and the many opportunities, resources, and experiences available within the College of Business and Technology. 

  • What to Expect 

    As a CBAT first-year student, you will be paired with a CBAT Peer Leader who will stay in touch with you throughout your first year. Together, you will: 

    • Meet monthly in a flexible format that fits your schedule. Meetings can take place in person or on Zoom, and can be one-on-one or in small groups. 
    • Connect weekly through check-ins, reminders, and encouragement. 
    • Learn about opportunities such as CBAT events, student organizations, and academic resources. 
    • Build confidence as you navigate your first year at ETSU and find your place in the CBAT community. 
  • Why Peer Mentorship Matters 

    Peer mentorship helps you: 

    • Feel a stronger sense of belonging within the CBAT community. 
    • Learn from someone who has successfully navigated the first-year experience. 
    • Build confidence in managing academic, social, and professional responsibilities. 
    • Gain insights into strategies for success and balance during your first year. 
    • Start developing a support network that extends throughout college and into your career. 
  • Interested in Becoming a Peer Leader? 

    The CBAT Peer Leader Program is more than a position; it is a leadership development experience designed to help students grow as mentors, communicators, and professionals. Peer Leaders work closely with the CBAT Director of First-Year Experience, receive individualized feedback, and participate in ongoing training throughout the year. 


    CBAT Peer Leaders are outstanding CBAT students who demonstrate empathy, leadership, and a desire to help others succeed. Through training, reflection, and real-world practice, they strengthen their confidence and leadership skills while contributing to the success of first-year students across the college. 

  • Connect with Your Peer Leader 

    How to Get Started:

    • You will receive an introductory email from your CBAT Peer Leader at the start of the semester. 
    • Check your ETSU email regularly for updates and invitations to meet. 
    • You can also visit the CBAT FYE Faculty and Staff page to find your CBAT Peer Leader’s Navigate availability link and schedule your monthly meeting. 

Building a Sense of Belonging

The First-Year Experience is an invitation to get involved, make connections, and build a foundation for both academic and personal success. Whether students are exploring their major, learning new skills, or finding their place in the CBAT community, this is where belonging begins.

ETSU CBAT students work on a fun activity together

“Your first year is about more than academics or career preparation; it is about building a meaningful college experience that shapes who you are and who you will become.”

Jillian Alexander, Director of FYE

 


FYE Events

Event Date Time Location
TBA