This year’s ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT program has a lot to celebrate. ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì, Reno freshmen and transfer students, along with their families, will not only be on campus and in-person, but the program now offers a new ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT Orientation Welcome (NOW) weekend, the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative pilot program with an iPad Air for each first-year freshman, and the first-ever Opening Ceremony in Mackay Stadium. A significant commitment from Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union (GNCU) will greatly impact the sustainability of the campus-wide academic boot camps while supporting low-income students annually.
“Thanks to the dedication of our faculty, staff and mentors, and the generosity of our donors, ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT has become a flagship program for the University and a driving force in our teaching mission,” University President Brian Sandoval said. “We strive to educate and graduate the best-prepared and most confident leaders, and it all starts with our students’ experience in the ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT program.”
ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT is a one-credit, academic program for first-year students designed to help ease the transition from high school to college. The ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT program brings more than 3,500 new students and about 500 student mentors to campus the week before the fall semester begins. ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT spans nine colleges and schools and more than 40 majors. Working in “Packs” of six to seven students led by an undergraduate mentor, students focus on academic readiness and skills to be successful college students, become acquainted with faculty, form study groups, live on campus and experience immersion into the campus community. This strategy has been proven to give students a sense of belonging and increases retention and graduation rates for all participants, including Pell-eligible, first-generation and minority students. Since its inception in 2013, ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT has helped increase the University’s average one-year retention rate by seven to ten percent.
“First-generation, low-income, and students from diverse racial and cultural demographics make up 40 percent of our campus community,” President Sandoval said. “Many students from across this spectrum require assistance in order to achieve their college degrees. Expanded support from ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì business leaders like Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union helps make higher education more accessible and successful for all students.”
For 25 years, Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union has been a dedicated partner with the University, most notably in its long-term support of the Wolf Pack Marching Band and Howlers Pep Band, and as a Presenting Sponsor of ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Money Mentors, the University’s financial literacy program. Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union’s enhanced collaboration with the University, along with other donor support of ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT, will assist more than 1,100 low-income students to cover requisite course fees, ensuring that all students who attend ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT can do so without additional financial strain.
“Beginning college is just one aspect of an individual’s learning journey,” said Wally Murray, president, and CEO of Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union. “We want to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds are best prepared to pursue their degrees and careers. We will also be supporting ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT’s efforts by providing financial literacy courses during the program. Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì wants all students to begin with a solid foundation, with opportunities to make the best decisions and accelerate their future success.”
Greater ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì Credit Union is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution headquartered in Carson City that has been helping ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìns with their financial needs since 1949. GNCU serves more than 80,000 consumers and small businesses, has more than $1.5 Billion in assets and has been consistently recognized as both Best Financial Institution in many of its service areas and as a top employer by the Reno/Tahoe Best Places to Work Awards. GNCU is open to everyone living or working in ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌì.
To learn more about supporting ÇéÉ«ÎåÔÂÌìFIT, the University’s requisite academic boot camp, contact Crystal Parrish, director, corporate and foundation relations, at cparrish@unr.edu or 775-682-6023.
