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Entering college for the first time can be an overwhelming experience for even the most organized and motivated student. From navigating a new environment, to making new friends, to learning how to balance collegiate-level coursework along with a job, most first-year students are faced with unfamiliar territory. In an effort to immediately engage new students and acquaint them with college, Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø Illinois University offers a First-Year Experience program.

Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø senior Natasha Overton has a master plan. She will graduate in 2014 with her heart in arts education and her mind on the future:

2015 – Enter a master’s degree program

2018 – Graduate with a master’s degree

2020 – Return to Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø to teach and start a local, comprehensive arts program

Nichole Schau knew from a young age she wanted to be an elementary school teacher.

Å·²©ÓÎÏ·¹ÙÍø Illinois University’s new president may have grown up downstate, but is at home here. For Gibson, home is not about location as much as it is the people and the students the institution serves.