College is hard. You don’t have to do it alone.
As a member of a First Year Community (FYC) at Inver Hills Community College, you will enroll in two classes—one you might need for your major (like psychology) and one (like study skills) that is designed to help you succeed in college.
We call our FYCs “communities” because you will be with the same students in both classes. All new students with fewer than 12 credits are expected to participate in a First Year Community.
“I’m really excited about the FYC program since helping students achieve their goals is important to me,” said Kathryn Klopfleisch, English and FYC faculty at Inver Hills. “College can be really hard for students as they balance their work, families, and classes, but we are here to support them.”
Key findings regarding First Year Communities (FYCs)
Using data current through spring semester 2024, the Inver Hills campus reports the following results:
- FYC students were more likely to succeed in first-year-experience (FYE) courses than FYE stand-alone students and also more likely to succeed in their content courses.
- Though student participation in FYCs has not met enrollment goals, patterns have developed that benefit specific student populations—such as the trend that students with disabilities are more likely to participate in FYCs than students without disabilities.
FYCs make studying fun AND more effective.
Boost your self-confidence, make new friends, elevate your collegiate game, and smooth the way to your degree and future career.
FYCs provide multiple benefits
- FYCs are led by experienced instructors who cooperate to support you and your fellow students.
- FYCs help you get to know other students since you take classes together.
- FYCs make it easier to understand course material and complete your assignments.
- FYCs introduce you to a range of on-campus services and resources.
- FYCs provide special activities and events.
- FYCs help you plan for your next semester and beyond.
- You can enroll in an FYC for no extra cost!
LEARN MORE…
Why participate in an FYC at Inver Hills?
You will make friends.
Because you will be in two classes with the same students, you will have opportunities to get to know each other, study together, and help each other learn.
You will reduce stress and save time.
College can be difficult. You will have an experienced instructor helping you develop skills like note-taking, test preparation, and time management. Knowing these techniques will save you time and give you confidence as you approach your classes.
You will learn about college resources.
It can be overwhelming to figure out financial aid, decide what classes to register for, or know when to get a tutor. As part of your FYC, your instructor will show you how to connect with campus resources to help you succeed and move forward as you pursue your degree.
You will connect with instructors.
Since faculty work together and your classes will be small, you will get to know your instructors.
FYC student perspective: Vanessa Otuonye
Age: 24
Hometown: Nkwerre, Nigeria
Current Residence: Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Merit Base Christian School, Class of 2016
Major and degree earning at Inver Hills: Nursing A.S.
Extracurricular activities and clubs at Inver Hills: Volunteer Club
Inver Hills planned graduation year: Spring 2026
Transfer plans: Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Career plans: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA)
Other degrees, diplomas, and/or certificates: Bachelor of Performing Arts (B.P.A.) with a focus on Dramaturgy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Vanessa works 20 hours a week as a food pantry assistant in the college’s Food and Resource Center while attending Inver Hills. The two classes she is enrolled in as part of her FYC are Exploring Biology and College Study Skills.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
HARDWORKING. RESILIENT. DEDICATED.
Vanessa Otuonye • Q & A
What inspired you to join a First Year Community (FYC)?
My advisor at the time encouraged me to take an FYC class, as it would help me study better and gets support from my peers since I just relocated to America from my home country.
What do you like best about your FYC?
The discussions and workshop activities I participated in.
How has your participation in an FYC helped improve your academic performance?
My participation helped me develop good study skills, which I applied to my study routine. That helped me greatly to get good grades and manage my study time better, all without having to stress and burn myself out.
What advice would you give students thinking about joining an FYC?
Joining an FYC helped me—and I think it can help you too. You get to engage with your peers and have study groups, so I would advise you to join.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Cure all diseases.
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
GOOD
FYC student perspective: Kelly Connolly
Age: 44
Hometown: St. Paul Park, Minnesota
Current residence: St. Paul Park, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Park High School, Class of 1999
Inver Hills major (program and degree): Nursing A.S., focusing on community health
Inver Hills scheduled graduation date: 2027
Inver Hills extracurricular activities: Phi Theta Kappa
Transfer plans: N/A
Career plans: Work as inpatient psychiatry RN at HCMC
Kelly works 54 hours over two weeks as a mental health worker in HCMC Inpatient Psychiatry while attending Inver Hills. The two classes she is enrolled in as part of her FYC are Biology 1120 and College Study Skills.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
WILLINGNESS. HELPFUL. HONEST.
Kelly Connolly • Q & A
What inspired you to join a First Year Community (FYC)?
My counselor suggested joining.
What do you like best about your FYC?
Meeting new people and having them in more than one class.
How has your participation in an FYC helped improve your academic performance?
The friends I made were in more than just that class. We pushed each other to do better, studied together, and learned new skills
What advice would you give students thinking about joining an FYC?
I would say, yes, stick with the class. You will make friends that will push you to do your best. My peers/friends are still in my classes today. We still study together, push each other to do better, and cheer each other on personally and in school.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Financial freedom for all. No more debt, no more poverty, and good health for all.
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
ADVENTUROUS
Faculty perspective: Jon Jensen
“Students who are involved in First Year Community (FYC)/First Year Experience (FYE) courses learn academic skills earlier than other students, reflected in early and midterm scores. FYC/FYE courses help students who report having greater academic needs reach overall success levels matching or exceeding those of other students.
“Anecdotally, these students report academic benefits from FYC/FYE courses that carry into future courses, and instructors report seeing increased social involvement, with the instructor as well as with other students. Students also appear to have a greater cognitive connection to the material and stronger motivation in the courses.”
Jon Jensen, EdD
Psychology Faculty
Inver Hills Community College
Learn more about First Year Communities (FYCs) at Inver Hills by contacting:
Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center
- Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
- Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
- Want to virtually visit campus? Check out our upcoming visit opportunities.
- Can’t make it to campus? Take our virtual tour.
