FYE Staff

Thia Wolf

Thia Wolf has served as director of the First-Year Experience Program since 2006.  Her work focuses on curriculum development for first- and second-year students using Public Sphere Pedagogy (PSP), a methodology developed by Wolf in concert with colleagues Dr. Chris Fosen and Dr. Jill Swiencicki.  This method focuses entering students' research on public issues and connects that research to public arenas for discussion, dissemination, reflection, and "next-steps" planning activities.  Examples of PSP projects at CSU, Chico include the Town Hall, the Chico Great Debate, and the UNIV 101 Public Event.  Assessments indicate that PSP demonstrably improves students' academic and civic engagement and positively affects first-year students' developing self-concepts.

Visit Dr. Wolf's webpage for more information.

Mackenzie Morris

One of my roles working for the First Year Experience Program is as a lead peer mentor for the Civic Mentor program. As a lead peer mentor I am an experienced peer to act as a resource for civic mentors and first year students, in addition, I help lead the civic engagement projects and help equip civic mentors to lead civic engagement projects of their own. As well as training civic mentors with practical ways to connect and be a resource to first year students. Connected to the Civic Mentor program, I help plan the curriculum for the Civic Mentor course. Another role that I play for FYE is a student aide for the planning and executing of the Town Hall Meeting. I am responsible for the administrative tasks for the Town Hall Meeting, while training and bringing in other student staff to help with the work.

Samantha Solorzano

My name is Sam Solorzano. I'm in my 3rd year at Chico State as a Psychology major. I work to assess and redesign the programs that FYE offers for you by conducting research projects. I also am the President of the Mentor Student Association that helps connect first year students to the campus and community through a number of projects each year.