Program Description

The University Experience Program promotes the success of all CI students through courses that

• highlight the four CI mission pillars (multicultural, international, interdisciplinary, and civic engagement/service learning);
• scaffold the learning of critical thinking competencies and multiple literacies;
• focus on the transition to university studies;
• embed high-impact learning practices such as learning communities, undergraduate research, and interdisciplinary learning; and
• employ faculty- and peer-support strategies.

Most University Experience courses meet General Education Requirements  outcomes.

The UNIV 150  , UNIV 250   and UNIV 349   courses have embedded peer mentors, University Peer Associates (UEAs), who also lead Dolphin Interest Groups (DIGs) co-curricular learning communities. For more information, visit ISLAS University Experience. 

UNIV 150  is part of linked Learning Communities with English Composition, including the RISE STEM-focused learning community and SURF undergraduate research Living-Learning Community.

The University Experience Program has benefited from on-campus partnerships, and external funding from the U.S. Department of Education (Projects ISLAS and ALAS), the Keck Foundation, and the CSU Give Students a Compass Project.

For more information on

• multicultural educational experiences, go to the Center for Multicultural Engagement at http://www.csuci.edu/cme/.
• UNIV 392   International Experience, go to the Center for International Affairs at http://www.csuci.edu/cia/international-experiences.htm.
• the Model Union Nations Team at CI, go to Model UN at http://www.csuci.edu/news/releases/2014-cimodelunteamwin.htm
• the Stepladder Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Learning (SPIRaL) undergraduate research courses offered through the Center for Integrative Studies, at http://www.csuci.edu/spiral/.
• experiential and service-learning opportunities, go to the Center for Community Engagement at http://www.csuci.edu/communityengagement/.

Contact information:

Marie Francois, Ph.D., University Experience Director, Professor of History
Madera Hall, Room 1725
(805) 437-3123
Fax: (805) 437-8817
marie.francois@csuci.edu