About

WELCOME Program

In 2024, The City College of New York received a four-year, $7.3 million WELCOME grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support new student onboarding initiatives at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. Led by CCNY’s Office for Experiential Learning and a dedicated team of academic leaders at the Colin Powell School, the WELCOME program aims to transform the college experience for first-year students.

Mission and Objective

The Welcoming Experiences and Learning Communities to Maximize Early Success (WELCOME) program seeks to enhance educational outcomes and college experiences for first-year students. By fostering supportive learning communities and enhancing student support services, WELCOME aims to empower students during their first semester of college to ultimately increase retention and graduation outcomes for historically marginalized, first-generation, and low-income students.

Program Overview

The WELCOME program is a research study that will serve 500 students in the fall of 2024, with a total goal of engaging 2,600 students over the next four years in treatment and control groups. Through research and evaluation, WELCOME will identify best practices and opportunities to scale the program campus-wide, in collaboration with the Center for Technology and School Change at Teachers College at Columbia University.

Key Components

Learning Communities

Selected students will form cohorts of twenty-five individuals, navigating foundational first-year courses together, including Bridges to Success, a Freshman Inquiry Writing Seminar, and introductory courses in Economics and Psychology.

Academic Advising

Selected WELCOME students will receive dedicated support from academic advisors during their first semester ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to succeed in their coursework and intended majors throughout their time at City College.

Student Support

In addition to academic support, selected WELCOME students will receive financial assistance and meet regularly with peer mentors to establish robust support services and foster a strong sense of community, laying a foundation for student success.