Assessment of First-Year Experiences at SJSU

San José State University (SJSU), located in San José, California, is the oldest campus in the California State University (CSU) system. SJSU produces an exceptionally rewarding learning environment for students, especially for those learning to become engineers. With nearly 5,000 students, the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering (CoE) is the largest provider of engineers to Silicon Valley companies and is ranked 12th among engineering programs for master’s-level institutions in 2009 U.S. News & World Report's listing of "America’s Best Colleges." The campus is classified as a Carnegie “Community Engagement campus.” To increase student retention in engineering programs, CoE offers several first-year experience (FYE) programs including residential and non-residential student learning communities, advising and support centers, and introductory engineering courses. These programs strive to increase student retention rates through three strategies: immersion, community, and hands-on learning. This paper will discuss the College’s efforts to increase retention and graduation rates of its incoming freshmen students.