First Year Experience’s S.T.R.I.P.E.S. program is adding some bronze to its purple and gold DNA.
The program, which stands for Student Tigers Rallying, Interacting and Promoting Education and Service, recently received bronze recognition in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ Excellence Awards competition.
S.T.R.I.P.E.S. is a four-day, three-night summer retreat designed to smooth the transition from high school to college for incoming freshmen with a focus on University history and traditions, college readiness, involvement, academic resources and leadership development.
Students spend the nights in on-campus dorms and attend seminars and lectures between games and competitions.
Missy Korduner, FYE assistant director and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. adviser, said the 13-year-old program captured NASPA’s attention because of the high success rates it boasts.
Students who participate in S.T.R.I.P.E.S. before beginning their freshman year tend to have higher graduation rates, higher cumulative first-year GPAs and higher retention rates, Korduner said.
“We can show that this program is effective,” she said.
NASPA judges programs on criteria including positive impact on student learning and success, relevance to institutional mission, collaboration with University departments and creativity, said Kaaryn Keller, senior director of marketing and communications at NASPA, in an e-mail.
Music education freshman Shelbie Manuel attended S.T.R.I.P.E.S. over the summer and said the program made her excited to start at the University and reinforced her decision to attend.
“It makes the school seem more alive,” Manuel said.
Manuel said she was thankful for the opportunity to speak with upperclassmen and make connections and friends before beginning classes.
In its first summer in 2000, Korduner said S.T.R.I.P.E.S. hosted 65 students for two and a half days at Tickfaw State Park. This year, the program will expand to include three separate sessions with a cap of 900 participants, she said.
Korduner said 629 students participated in the 2011 edition, while 525 participated the previous year.
This year’s staff selection begins with an information session Jan. 29. Interested students can apply via an online application and must be in good standing with the University, Korduner said.
 
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Contact Emily Herrington at [email protected].