First-Year Seminar
Welcome to First-Year Seminar! FYS is a course designed specifically for Barton College first-year students. It explores topics related to the academic and social transition from high school to college, and it is an introduction to Barton College. All classes are designed to help you learn more about yourself and your future. You will focus on topics that support your success at Barton and beyond — understanding the effects of emotion in your life; navigating technology and information; and exploring vocation, majors, and career paths. Your FYS team is one of your best resources to help you navigate your first semester of college.
As we move through the course and you move through your first semester, you will have several opportunities and decisions come your way, and your FYS team will be here to help guide you. Our hope is that you consider your new environment, your skills, your friendships, and everything that you are learning in your decision-making process. Your experiences this semester can help to shape your next four years, and those years will help to shape your adult life. While going to college is exciting and new, you must reflect on the college experience as a whole and not several individual parts.
Contact Us
Angie M. Walston
Assistant Dean
Academic and Career Planning
Willis N. Hackney Library
Barton College
P.O. Box 5000
Wilson, NC 27893
Dorothy Austin-Harrell, M.F.A.
Assistant Professor of Theatre
Head of Costumes and Props
Dr. Avant
Instructor of Psychology and Senior Thesis
Luis Carlos Ayarza, Ph.D.
Professor of Spanish
Spanish Program Coordinator
First Year Seminar Instructor
Amelia Bain
First Year Seminar Instructor
Transfer and International Student Admissions
Ciara Burud
First Year Seminar Instructor
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Corey Coley
Director of Title IX and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Jacqueline Fischer
Office of Academic and Career Planning
Francesca Harvey
Associate Athletic Trainer
Ashley Gardner
First Year Seminar Instructor
Psychology Instructor
Jennifer High
Executive Director of Student Health Services and Dean of Students
Alysun Skinner
Chaplain of Barton College
Dr. Altovise Staton
Nurse
Educator
George Venturella
First-Year Seminar Instructor
Thomas Welch
Executive Director of Financial Aid
First Year Seminar Instructor