The WISE Program
Transitioning from high school to college is always hard, but it's even harder if you're the first in your family to make that transition. With that in mind, The WISE Program was created by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to provide first-generation students who identify as belonging to a historically minoritized or underrepresented population with the resources, support and guidance they need to ease into life as a Hatter and effectively access all the academic, professional, and personal development opportunities that college has to offer.
Mission Statement
Through intentional relationship and capacity building, WISE helps students navigate their experiences on and beyond Stetson's campus with confidence. Our mission is to foster identity development, cultivate a sense of belonging, promote cultural humility, and enhance personal, academic and professional development. We strive to engage students in transformative experiences that create pathways for them to excel academically, actively contribute to their communities, and graduate from Stetson as responsible global citizens.
Signature Initiatives
As a member of WISE, you'll have the opportunity to move into Stetson housing early and participate in Summer Bridge Week, which takes place in the days leading up to FOCUS Orientation.
Summer Bridge seeks to foster a sense of community within the WISE cohort, connecting you with peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences. This week will be jam-packed with workshops and activities to help you familiarize yourself with the resources, support services, and academic expectations of our community.
Learn more about Summer Bridge Week here.
Peer mentorship is the foundational component of the WISE Program. Each WISE Scholar will be matched with a peer mentor – a returning first-gen Stetson student who will serve as your guide, advocate, and friend throughout your first year. Your mentor will be someone who has been in your shoes, understands your experiences, and is dedicated to helping you thrive academically, socially, and personally; they’ll be there to offer advice, share their own experiences, provide encouragement, and help you navigate any challenges you may encounter.
Whether you're struggling with a difficult class, feeling homesick, or simply need someone to talk to, your peer mentor will be there to support you. Peer mentorship in WISE is more than just a support system—it's a family. Together, we'll celebrate your successes, overcome obstacles, and make the most of your time at Stetson.
All incoming First Time in College (FTIC) and Transfer students are connected with the New Hatter Advising team prior to starting their first semester at Stetson; as a WISE Scholar, you’ll be assigned to a dedicated WISE Advisor who has been trained to understand the specific challenges and experiences that first-gen students face, and will meet with them through the summer to provide additional support as you prepare to arrive on campus in the Fall.
Once the Fall semester begins, and you’re matched with a faculty advisor in your academic department, you will retain your WISE Advisor to offer mentorship and encouragement, helping you build confidence and feel more comfortable in your academic pursuits.
While all Stetson students must meet with their faculty advisors once a semester, prior to course registration, WISE Advising check-ins will take place quarterly at integral periods in the academic calendar.
All Stetson students are required to take a First-Year Seminar (FSEM) course in their first semester. All WISE Scholars will be enrolled in A WISE-exclusive FSEM titled How Class Works (FSEM 100-218). This course will be a transformative experience aimed at building intentional community among the first-year WISE cohort while delving into essential questions about success, opportunity, and community.
Learn more about the WISE FSEM here.
WISE Up Wednesdays are an integral part of the WISE Program! These bi-weekly meetings are designed to empower first-generation students in the WISE community through capacity building, relationship cultivation, and holistic development.
At WISE Up Wednesdays, you'll have the opportunity to engage with campus and community partners, participate in interactive workshops and connect with folks who share similar experiences or can offer integral insights. These workshops are specifically tailored to address the personal, social, and professional needs of the first-gen community, ensuring that you have the support and resources you need to thrive in every aspect of your college journey.
The First-Year $uccess Program (FY$P) is an innovative pilot program designed by Campus Life and Student Success to empower first-year students at Stetson University to excel academically, socially, and personally while earning valuable rewards along the way.
As a first-year student in the WISE Program, you're invited to participate in FY$P, which offers incentives in the form of additional one-time scholarship dollars for your sophomore year at Stetson—up to $1,500!
Through participation in FY$P, you'll engage in behaviors that promote academic excellence, social connection, and personal development. These activities include attending tutoring sessions, joining student clubs or organizations, completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on time, and much more.
Participation in FY$P is a condition of your WISE membership and logging your activities through the FY$P Program Portal using your myStetson credentials is key to earning your scholarship. You'll have the chance to start earning your scholarship within the first six weeks of the Fall semester—so don't wait!