First-Year Experience

Mission and Vision

We strive to foster a welcoming community for students in their transition to college life by providing engaging opportunities related to personal and academic growth, learning the value of their liberal arts education through the lens of a Christian Worldview. Through this experience, we hope to contribute to lasting connections and student success beyond the classroom.

University 111 

University 111 is a class that all first-year students are required to take that helps with your transition to university life, establish community, and develop skills to succeed in life after GWU. Students will connect with the Gardner-Webb community, campus resources, and engage in opportunities that will grow them academically, socially, and spiritually. Students will also participate in a service-learning opportunity.   

Highlights: 

• Understand the value of your Christian education 
• Gain a mentor through your Peer Leader and Instructor 
• Develop academic success strategies 
• Access and understand campus resources 
• Build community and learn how to get connected on campus 

Peer Leaders 

In addition to our professors, University 111 also has Peer Leaders who work as teaching assistants, friends, and role models for our first-year students. These motivated student workers act as mentors who work hand in hand with the University 111 instructors to ensure our first-year students have a successful first semester of college. 
 
We look forward to encouraging you in your transition to college and helping you start in a way that will allow you to thrive at Gardner-Webb. We are excited to get you connected to all the wonderful resources Gardner-Webb offers and introduce you to many new friends! 

If interested in being a Peer Leader, please complete this interest survey.