First Year Experience

Sawyer Business School

The first-year experience (FYE) at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School (SBS) includes two semesters of academic and extra-curricular programming that supports our learners’ sense of security, belonging, and purpose.  

During the first semester, learners will build community and confidence, while exploring and gaining foundational knowledge, in support of business concepts, problem-solving, career pathways, and major/minor connections. This exploration includes experiences in creative, strategic, career, and major/minor opportunities.  

The experience continues into the second semester, where learners begin building a theoretical foundation to support future courses in the functional areas of business. Theoretical curriculum and activities focus on globalization, team building, the entrepreneurial mindset, communication in the workplace, and professionalism, all preparing a confident and aware learner.   

The First Year Experience Philosophy

Through the eight points of the First Year Experience, learners can finish the rest of their academic careers with excellence while simultaneously being job ready.

The curriculum matrix above shows how learners will complete all ten learning outcomes within their first semester. These outcomes provide a gateway for all other skills needed in university and career. Furthermore, no class covers just one part of the matrix, and the multitude of coverage that each outcome gets from multiple courses shows the deep understanding each learner will receive.

SBS-100 & SBS-101

SBS 100 gives students the tools they need to make the most of their four years at Suffolk. The first half of the course shows learners what Suffolk has to offer, and then the second half takes a deep look at the dynamic career center that Suffolk offers.

SBS 101 allows for an authentic experiential learning experience on all business foundations. SBS 101 enables the learner to start with no business knowledge and then, during the 14 weeks, transforms the learner into being able to present a business case in front of real business executives.  

First Year Experience Resources

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RELEVANT COURSES

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EXECUTIVE PRESENTATIONS

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CAREER CLOSET

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TIPS & TOOLS

Contact Us

George G. Moker, EdD, MBA, CPA
Assistant Dean, Student Transitions
Assistant Professor of Practice, Marketing
Co-Director of Creativity and Innovation Steering Committee
Phone: (617) 573-8744
Email: gmoker@suffolk.edu
Joanna K. Trainor, MBA
Associate Director, First Year Programs
Instructor, Management and Entrepreneurship
Creativity and Innovation Steering Committee
Shared General Education Curriculum Committee (SGECC)
Phone: (617) 573-8744
Email: jtrainor@suffolk.edu