UWO Community

Why the NBC Village Program?

First-year experience programs are a popular trend at colleges and universities around the country.  By implementing this program, UW Oshkosh is joining the already hundreds of institutions that already have this type of program in place.  The NBC Village program is one of the first of many steps for UW Oshkosh in really focusing on the first-year student, their needs and wants, and their expectations of college life.

Involvement, Satisfaction, and Retention

The first year is the most important year in determining if a student will finish their college education. Forty-two percent of college students who start college will not earn a degree. Twenty-one percent of students leave college after their first year.

“Students who are actively involved in both academic and out-of-class activities gain more from the college experience than those who are not so involved” (Kuh, Schuh, Whitt, & Associates, 1991, p. xi).  Students who are involved in out-of-class activities tend to me more positive about their college experience, and therefore, “are more satisfied with their social life, living environment, academic major, and contacts with faculty, and are more likely to graduate than students who are not involved” (Kuh, et.al, p. 8).

The NBC Village program is here to help students continue their education from year one to year two, three, etc. The first year is often the most challenging adjustment academically for students. The NBC Village program will bring opportunities and resources to students to help them in their transition to college life.  When students feel support they are able to deal with the amount of challenge that is presented to them as new college students.  The NBC Village will provide a supportive yet challenging environment in which students feel safe, satisfied, and will grow and develop.