In a session at the Conference on the First-Year Experience in Seattle, Washington, Ithaka S+R’s Carmen Araoz will join Christine Harrington and Michael Sparrow of Morgan State University to explore how design thinking can transform the first-year seminar, orientation, advising, and other FYE programs.

During this interactive workshop participants will learn about using a first-year seminar assessment tool and engage in a user-centric design thinking approach to transform the first-year experience.

The session is scheduled to take place on February 15, 2026.