Dominguez Hills First-Year Experience (DHFYE)

Welcome New Toros to the Dominguez Hills First-Year Experience (DHFYE)

Congratulations on your admission to CSUDH!  We are excited for you to join our Toro Nation.  At DH, your success is our priority.  Our goal is to help you transition into your college career.  We take pride in putting together a year-long program that will not only allow you to get ahead with your college requirements but will also provide you with an opportunity to build a community and a sense of belonging.  Through this experience, you will connect with your peers, faculty, advisors, and campus resources. 

What is Dominguez Hills First-Year Experience (DHFYE)?

DHFYE is a collaborative effort across campus to meet the needs of all first-time, first-year students! The DHFYE program will set the foundation for a collegiate experience full of academic opportunity and personal growth.

Participation in Dominguez Hills First-Year Experience has significant positive effects on students’ successful transition to college and continued academic success!

Step 1. Directed Self-Placement (DSP)

Step 2. New Student Orientation (NSO)

Step 1. Directed Self-Placement (DSP)

All New Toros must complete the online DSP survey by June 1, 2024, before NSO and enrolling in classes. The survey will recommend First Year Composition class best suited for you!

Step 2. New Student Orientation (NSO)

Learn about campus life, resources, and support. Meet your advisors and sign up for classes at NSO.

DYFYE Summer Experience

DYFYE Summer Experience

CSUDH students have the opportunity to take up to two courses during the summer in order to graduate quicker and have a more successful fall semester. Students will be able to register for Early Start as well as other General Education courses during New Student Orientation (NSO).

First-Year Seminar

First-Year Seminar

Our First-Year Seminars (FYS) will deeply enrich and connect our first-time, first-year students to core ideas in new disciplines with a passionate and caring doctoral trained professor. FYS promotes meaningful peer-to-peer interactions and close faculty-student mentorships.

Advising & Peer Support

Advising & Peer Support

DHFYE advisors deliver programming aimed at fostering a sense of belonging on campus, build a community of support and Toro pride, and establish relationships with peers, faculty, and staff. Students will receive an assigned Academic Advisor and Peer Mentor to help guide and support them throughout the academic year.

First-Year Faculty

First-Year Faculty

As you start a new academic year, get to know your First-Year English and Mathematics Instructors. They are here to help you succeed and achieve your full potential! 

Resources &
Support

Resources & Support

Students will receive academic support both within and outside of their classroom experiences. Students will also have the opportunity to request to borrow a laptop free of charge.

New Student Convocation (NSC)

New Student Convocation (NSC)

New Student Convocation (NSC) is an event to welcome all incoming students to the Toro Family. This celebration is focused on offering academic insight, inspirational unity, community, and campus pride. Students will participate in fun, engaging activities, receive CSUDH swag, and have the opportunity to win free prizes.

When we were sectioned off into our DHFYE groups, it was so nice to see the Advisors being so interactive and welcoming.  It was nice to have people personally reaching out to me and also be able to answer another person’s question in case they were having trouble following along. It was really relaxing.

DHFYE Learning Outcomes

Through the Dominguez Hills First-Year Experience (DHFYE), students will:

  • Develop & experience a sense of belonging and a feeling that CSUDH is their community.
  • Begin to develop an academic identity that values, affirms, and builds upon the cultures, identities, and strengths they possess.
  • Begin to develop an understanding of academic inquiry.
  • Demonstrate an equity mindset and help to promote inclusivity among peers and others.
  • Develop a growth mindset and understand that skills can be developed.
  • Engage in metacognitive reflection about their identities, individual learning, academic goals, and career plans.
  • Understand their growing abilities and be able to apply and demonstrate that understanding in different contexts.
  • Understand and be able to explain the a university degree's components (GE, major, and other graduation requirements).
  • Demonstrate effective time management skills and the ability to access campus resources to support students’ academic, personal, and professional success.
Meeting the DHFYE Learning Outcomes

You are meeting the DHFYE learning outcomes, if you are:

  • Meeting new friends and making meaningful connections at CSUDH.
  • Asking for help when needed and utilizing your advisor, peer mentors, and faculty office hours.
  • Accessing available resources needed, such as the Writing Center, Toro Tutoring and Testing Center, Student Health and Psychological Services, Basic Needs, etc.
  • Gaining insights about your academic skills and scholarly interests.
  • Learning more about your academic major and future career options.
  • Making satisfactory progress toward your academic goals, including earning credits toward your degree and remaining in good academic standing.
  • Getting involved with co-curricular activities, joining student organizations, volunteering, working on campus, and/or participating in other campus activities.