GoalQuest Inc. today announced that an increasing number of its 130 college and university clients are utilizing the company's FYRe™ student success tool as a mandatory part of first-year course offerings.

FYRe is a Web-based curriculum that immerses users in interactive content covering topics such as academic skills, health and wellness, alcohol and drugs, career development and financial management. The program includes expert-written editorial features, self-assessment quizzes, reflection activities, first-person digital video narratives, e-portfolios and online community features, such as blogs and messaging.

GoalQuest's editorial team works with each client to tailor FYRe to support existing FYE and freshman seminar syllabi. In the first-year window, FYRe can be implemented as a supplement or replacement for existing FYE textbooks and teaching manuals, as the core online syllabus and assignment center within a FYE program and/or as a virtually administered course (credit or non-credit) for clients that do not offer a classroom-based FYE program. The program can also be deployed as a non-mandatory virtual program that students access according to their needs and interests. FYRe versions are also available for sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students.

FYRe supports school administrators and first-year instructional faculty with real-time data and extensive survey and assessment options to help combat student attrition, promote critical learning outcomes and improve overall satisfaction.

The University of Rhode Island began using FYRe four years ago. The tool has since become a core fixture for first-year students, who participate in the program as part of their freshman seminar, URI 101: Traditions and Transformations. Shortly after introducing FYRe within this campus-wide, first-year course, URI decided to replace its existing e-text and support materials with the jointly developed content and activities in FYRe, known to students as URI 101e.

"The University of Rhode Island has designed its own unique first year seminar course materials, which have been transformed with the help of GoalQuest," said Jayne Richmond dean of URI's University College. "This cooperative venture has resulted in interactive, easily updated and personalized course materials that students find welcoming and accessible. A great benefit has been the ability to build assessment into the course materials, which are produced and managed by GoalQuest. It has been a great partnership for all of us."

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Like URI, Nicholls State University uses FYRe in conjunction with its freshman seminar course, University Prep. Each installment of the school’s FYRe program, known to students as Nicholls Connection, includes a Freshman File, a student mission designed to facilitate discussions in the classroom. Each installment of Nicholls Connection also integrates with the school's mandatory LASSI assessment activity and provides links to key campus support resources and services.

"Nicholls State University is looking forward to its partnership with GoalQuest," said Al Davis, dean of the school's University College. "GoalQuest, in collaboration with our University College advising staff, has tailored its FYRe program to provide first-year students with a freshman seminar textbook that goes far beyond the limitations of the printed page. This 'textbook-plus' concept will give students meaningful access to transitional and career development resources by way of continuous, real-time contact with the university's staff of Master Advisors."

"As more and more colleges introduce freshman seminars and first-year experience courses as mandatory components within their curriculum, they are also seeking innovative approaches to engaging students in success-oriented content," said Peter Kraft, GoalQuest co-founder and chief executive officer. "Our FYRe v.2 release includes even more features to ignite student interest in their skill development and in campus life, while at the same time providing instructors and administrators with real-time data to strategically target students at risk."

The company will introduce its FYRe v.2 product during the 26th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience sponsored by the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience© and Students in Transition. GoalQuest welcomes conference participants to join company representatives at its booth in the Exhibit Hall. During the conference, the company will also host the first in a series of FYRe symposia and informational sessions. GoalQuest will offer a similar session during the ACPA/NASPA Joint Meeting in Orlando, Florida (March 31-April 4). For information about attending either session, please contact Tracy Howe at 212-868-3500 x108 (e-mail tracy@goalquest.com).