Contacts: Belinda Vogel, (505) 277-9651
Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821

November 3, 2004

PNM Funding Aids Freshman Introductory Studies Cohort Program

The Public Service Company of New Mexico recently awarded the University of New Mexico with a $32,000 grant to help fund a new program called the Freshman Introductory Studies Community Program. The FISC program supports students both academically and socially through the construction of new learning communities and the addition of more traditional supplemental instruction, tutoring and mentoring support.

“PNM is proud to support the Freshman Introductory Studies Program at UNM,” said Diane Ogawa, executive director, PNM Foundation. “We recognize the value of providing every opportunity to help students achieve the highest level in their education. This is a terrific initiative for individual students and for our community.”

The program, which recently got underway, offers an initial seven-credit block of courses to one cohort of 22 students. It expanded this fall to two sections with more than forty students enrolled. The credits included two three-credit hour courses including an IS Reading course, an Economics 105 (and this fall Sociology) core curriculum course and a one-credit seminar course taught by a graduate assistant. The IS reading instructor adapts the core syllabus to the developmental needs of the students so the core course serves as the basis for reading instruction. The graduate assistant provides supplemental instruction and will work with students to address their overall transition to university life. The IS instructor, faculty member and graduate assistant meet weekly with the program director to discuss student progress and offer suggestions for improvement of the IS course and weekly seminar.

“We are proud to have PNM as a partner in this important initiative,” said Peter White, dean, University College. “This grant enabled UNM to implement the FISC program this fall, which could not have happened without this support. PNM is the first corporate partnership in University College.

“The Freshman Academic Choices program has greatly improved outcomes for our students. Based on that success, we anticipate that providing improved academic and social support for our IS students will yield similar results,” he added.

Following the model of the very successful Freshman Learning Communities, the FISC program will eventually become sustainable through increases in student retention and state formula funding.

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Comments to:
Public Affairs Department
MSC01 1170
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981