Living & Learning Communities

Horizons -  First Year Experience Program

Horizons is a program specifically designed for first year residents to provide them the opportunity to get involved on campus, develop leadership skills and learn how to be a successful student. Horizons members receive specialized attention that encourages and facilitates active participation in the SIUE community.

Horizons is open to first year students in any major. Horizons students have the opportunity to develop valuable relationships with university faculty and staff outside the classroom and gain a strong sense of community with fellow members.

Horizons is a great opportunity for all first year residents, but is ideal for these groups:

• Students with leadership experience
• Students who have the desire to lead, but need some direction on the best ways to get involved
• Students who were a part of Student Government, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, or any co-curricular program in high school

What makes Horizons unique?

• Horizons focuses on leadership development and connecting with the SIUE community
• Each person selected for Horizons will have the benefit of being pre-registered for UNIV 112: The Horizons class. This class is a requirement of the program and focuses on the acquisition of leadership and study skills that help make SIUE students successful. This section of UNIV 112 will count towards the required New Freshmen Seminar that all incoming students must enroll in.
• Opportunity to develop relationships with university faculty and staff in both formal and non-formal settings, from organized discussions to pizza parties!
• Take part in social outings, coordinated by University Housing, with fellow Horizons members. Past events have included dinners, ice cream socials, bowling nights and more.

Benefits of the Horizons Community

• Gain exposure to the SIUE community through interaction with fellow students and participation in other SIUE student organizations.

• Contribute to service learning activities throughout the year. Service activities are an asset to personal and professional development.

• Chance to take advantage of residential living programs that facilitate success in the classroom.

• Recent graduates of Horizons often act as Peer Mentors, giving guidance and support throughout the year to current Horizons members.

Program Requirements

To get the most out of your Horizons experience, certain program requirements have been established. Students who complete the Horizons program will be honored at the Kimmel Leadership Awards Banquet at the end of the academic year. Full participation in the following activities is required:

• Registration in UNIV 112:  The Horizons linked class
• Attendance at 3 university programs per year
• Active participation in an SIUE student organization
• Attend 4 Horizons social activities
• Perform 5 hours of community service per year
• Take part in 1 informal faculty interaction

What are students saying about Horizons?

"I thought Horizons was just about leadership, but I find that it's more than becoming leader, it's defining who you are as a person through the close community that we created in our Horizon's wing." - Dustin French, 2006 Horizons graduate

"It's so nice to be around people that are in your same situation and share the same qualities. It made the adjustment effortless." - Andrew Glosser, 2006 Horizons graduate

New students wishing to become part of the Horizons program should indicate their interest on their University Housing application.

To learn more about Horizons, please contact the Central Housing Office, housing@siue.edu.