FYE Research

by

FYE Faculty

Do you want to understand more about the WHY? of why FYE is important? Do you want to learn about FYE student perspectives? Would you like to learn more about FYE and the incredible research current and former FYE faculty conduct? Would you like to get involved with student-faculty research opportunities? Below are published manuscripts and conference presentations specifically about WCU FYE courses, students, and faculty. If you find something of interest, reach out to the first author and ask if they are conducting more research and if you could help.

FYE and FYE-Related Published Manuscripts

Supporting first-year experience students' academic self-efficacy with intentional instructional design 2025 APA Citation:  Jagielo‑Manion R. &· Nagle, J. T. (2025). Supporting first‑year experience students’ academic self‑efficacy with intentional instructional design. Innovative Higher Education, 50:1115–1137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-024-09768-8 .

Impacts of Embedding Diversity and Inclusion Training into First-Year Experience (FYE) Curriculum 2024 APA Citation:  Holik, M., Katirai, W., & Katirai, M. (2024). Impacts of embedding diversity and inclusion training into First-Year Experience curriculum. Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education, 6(1), Article 4.

Students Ability to Self-Regulate in a First-Year Experience (FYE) Health Sciences Course 2023 APA Citation:  Holik, M., & Davidson, P. (2023). Students ability to self-regulate in a First-Year Experience health sciences course. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 21(3), Article 9.

It Takes a Mob: Retention and Success through First Year Experience (FYE) 2021 APA Citation:  Mrkich, S., Pantazes, T., & Marano, L. (2021). It takes a mob: Retention and success through First Year Experience. Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education, 4(1), Article 3.

A Collaborative Model for Diagnosing First-Year Minority College Students' Academic Needs: Establishing a Plan for Academic Success through Academic Coaching and Tutoring 2021 APA Citation:  Jones, T. E., & Manigo, J. A. (2021). A collaborative model for diagnosing first-year minority college students' academic needs: Establishing a plan for academic success through academic coaching and tutoring. Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education, 1(1), Article 6.

Pathway to Leadership: The Peer Tutor Coordinator Role at West Chester University 2020 APA Citation:  Lloyd, C. A., Manigo, J. A., Jones, T. E., & Crouse-Machcinski, K. M. (2020). Pathway to leadership: The peer tutor coordinator role at West Chester University. The Learning Assistance Review, 25(2), 27–47.

FYE and FYE-Related Conference Presentations

 Mrkich, S. & Pantazes T. (2026, May 14). Ignite your H5P potential: How FYE built inclusive & accessible course presentations [Conference presentation]. RECAP Conference West Chester University, West Chester, PA. https://wcupa.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=faab12c1-cc96-4717-8a97-b44f00f5be8e  

Mrkich, S. (2026, May 7). FYE ignites potential: Engaging, inclusive, and accessible pedagogy and design [Poster presentation].  Teaching Excellence Showcase, West Chester University, West Chester, PA. 

Mrkich, S. & Pantazes, T. (2025, November). Igniting potential: FYE@WCU’s journey to foundational content for a cohesive experience [Conference presentation]. The Ohio Chapter of the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS-OH). 

Jagielo-Manion, R. & Nagle, J. T. (2024, May 20-22). Intentional instructional design to support students’ self-efficacy [Conference session]. ITLC Lilly Conference on Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning, Austin, TX.

Jagielo-Manion, R. & Nagle, J. T. (2024, April 11-14). Fostering first-year students’ cultural competence through understanding of identity, skills, history, and future professional impact [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.

Blake, M., Colgan, A., & Lloyd, C. (2024, February 19). The power of peers: Including peer leaders in an exploratory FYE course [Conference presentation]. Conference on the First-Year Experience, Seattle, WA.

Katirai, W., Keenan, L., & Heinerichs, S. (Feb, 2024). Engagement, accountability, and reflection: Connecting FYE students to campus. Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy. Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA.

Nagle J. T. & Jagielo-Manion, R. (2022, November 17-20). Utilizing book study and a challenge-based learning project to enlighten first-year college students regarding race and equity during the COVID-19 pandemic [Conference session]. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention. Anaheim, CA.

Katirai, W., Roman, A., Keenan, L., & Barker, N. (April, 2021). Social connectedness and perceived stress among first-year college students. Pennsylvania Public Health Association.
Lancaster, PA.

Holik, Katirai & Katirai (2021), "Advancing DEI in First Year Experience Courses and Throughout Campus with Curriculum that Works," PASSHE DEI Summit (Onward & Upward conference), Nov. 3–5, 2021 APA Citation.

 Mrkich, S. & Marano, L. (2021, January 14). Growing the beard: FYE, its spin-offs, and meeting the needs of students and faculty [Keynote Speaker]. 2021 SoTLA Conference, West Chester University, West Chester, PA. 

Mrkich, S. & Mader, R. (2019, September 13). From the ground up: Designing, implementing, and assessing first year experience at West Chester University [Conference presentation]. Drexel Assessment Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 

Davidson, P. DeJoy, S., & Mrkich, S. (2019, April 5). An interprofessional approach: First Year Experience and addressing adverse childhood experiences [Conference presentation]. Maximizing Health Outcomes and Access to Underserved Populations: Building Workforce Capacity, West Chester University, West Chester, PA. 

FYE and FYE-Related Podcasts and Other Ancillaries

Pantazes, T. (Host). (2026, May 23). Developing First Year Experience common content. [Audio podcast]. ODLI OnAir, WCU Teaching and Learning Center. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6e2gxrBFU92pXId5SOAkYz?si=rwFWj2JgTumiB8Qwr3pyDA