First Year Experience Student Spotlight

St. Philip’s College (SPC) student Chris Sauceda recently completed the First Year Experience (FYE) Program as part of its pilot cohort. He finished the program in the Spring of 2024 and was selected to serve as a Student Peer Mentor afterward.

The FYE Program at St. Philip’s College is designed to help first-year students build, develop, and discover new skills. It provides resources and programming aimed at guiding students toward academic success. The program begins with Tiger Nation Family Day, which serves as an official induction into the St. Philip’s College community and concludes with the End of First Year Banquet, a celebration of the students’ accomplishments.

“FYE provided me with the tools, resources, and mindset to be successful,” Chris said. “It gave me a firm foundation to understand the college culture. The program gave me a platform to encourage other students, and a catapult into my second year, feeling confident and ready to move forward.”

During his time at St. Philip’s College, Saucedo has been an active participant in campus events. He has played in the college’s annual golf tournament, spoken at Tiger Nation Family Day, and read books to children at the Mexican American Studies (MAS) Children's Day event.

Within the FYE Program, students are encouraged to find their "FAMILIA," which stands for Family, Acceptance, Mentoring, Inclusion, Learning, Inspiration, and Advancement to build confidence.

“The First Year Experience Program at St. Philip’s College is more than just a support system—it’s rooted in a belief that I hold deeply: every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or the obstacles they face,” said Liz Castillo, Director of Student Success.