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First Year & University Programs

First-Year Learning Communities (Fall Semester)

To serve our diverse CSUSM student community, First-Year & University Programs coordinates a range of first-year learning communities and specialized GEL 101 sections. Each first-year learning community or specialized section addresses an exclusive theme with unique learning outcomes tailored to a specific student population. Examples of first-year learning communities and specialized sections include:

Learning Communities

  • First-Year Business Learning Community (FYBLC):  In partnership with the College of Business Administration, the FYBLC is an intentional learning community for students planning to major in Business Administration. Students in the FYBLC will take at least two courses together in their first semester, GEL 101: The Student, The University, The Community and BUS 202: Business Law.  For questions about this section, please contact the College of Business Administration at 760-750-4230 or cobaadvising@csusm.edu. 

  • CSUSM Student Athlete Learning Community:  A learning community for first-year CSUSM student athletes. For questions about this section, please contact David Nathanson at dnathanson@csusm.edu. 

Specialized GEL Sections

  • San Marcos Experience (SME) and Residential Learning Community (RLC):  A civic-engagement learning community for students living on campus. Emphasis is on development of leadership skills, serving the community, and involvement in campus life. For questions about this section, please contact First-Year Programs at fyp@csusm.edu. 
  • STEM Major Specialized GEL Section:  A specialized section for first-year students planning to major in STEM. This section is in partnership with the College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. For questions about this section, please contact Laurie Schmelzer, Director of Student Services & Programming for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics at lschmelz@csusm.edu.

  • Kinesiology Specialized GEL Section:  A  specialized section for first-year students admitted and majoring in Kinesiology. These sections are in partnership with the College of Education, Health, and Human Services. For questions about this section, please contact Shannon Cody at scody@csusm.edu. 
  • Undeclared Learning Community (ULC) Specialized Section:  These specialized sections have students explore interests, passions, and community issues designed for students who have not yet chosen a major. These sections incorporate a transformational learning component of service-learning where students will engage in reflective civic-oriented activites and assignments.  For questions about this section, please contact Ashley Gragido at agragido@csusm.edu. 
  • Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Specialized GEL Section: A specialized section for first-year students for students who are also enrolled in the EOP program at CSUSM. For questions about this section, please contact Andres Favela at afavela@csusm.edu.

  • TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Specialized GEL Section:  A specialized section for first-year students for students who are also enrolled in the TRIO/SSS program at CSUSM. For questions about this section, please contact Perla Rivas at pmrivas@csusm.edu. 

For further information on our first-year learning communities please contact First-Year & University Programs directly at fyp@csusm.edu.