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Creating a supportive environment for college Freshmen: Underlying dimensions of the Freshman Interest Group program

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Abstract

The Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program aims to create a supportive environment by providing increased opportunities for interaction with both faculty and peers, helping to ease the transition from high school to college life. This study sought to verify the expected supportive functions underlying the FIG program and to determine the effects of the program on college adjustment. The results indicated that the structure of the FIG program created a more supportive environment for participants compared with freshmen in the traditional academic structure. This was especially true in looking at classmates as the source of support. No differences were found between the two groups on college adjustment.

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Authors
  1. Claire F. Sullivan
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Additional information

Claire F. Sullivan holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington (1991) and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut (1984). An assistant professor at the University of Maine, she teaches courses in interpersonal communication, health communication, small group communication, and research methods. Professor Sullivan conducts research in the area of supportive communication within academic and health care settings.

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Sullivan, C.F. Creating a supportive environment for college Freshmen: Underlying dimensions of the Freshman Interest Group program. Innov High Educ 19, 83–97 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01191591

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