Welcome to life as a college student! Right from the first day, First Year Seminar helps you meet other students, connect with faculty members, and become part of the Elms community.
First Year Seminar (FYS) will empower you to make the most of your education here at Elms. With your instructor as a guide and mentor, you and your peers will explore important topics, frame critical questions and seek just solutions. Through special programming, in-class discussions, and campus-wide events, you will become an active member of the Elms College community.
The aim of First Year Seminar is to develop:
- Critical and innovative thinking
- Close reading of a text
- Analysis and open discussion
- Clear written and oral communication
- Appreciation of diversity and different viewpoints
- Intellectual and global curiosity
Hear more about Experiential Learning from Jennifer L. Granger Sullivan, Ed.D., Director of Experiential Learning, Co-Director of the First Year Seminar.
The Longest Table event for new students, outside Berchmans Hall, sponsored by First Year Seminar
September 2025
Introducing First Year Seminar’s
Common Read for 2025-2026:
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers, has been selected as the Common Read for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The Common Read is an integral part of the First Year Seminar because it gives all new first-year students a shared academic experience centered on a theme from the Catholic Social Teachings (CST). This year’s theme is “Dignity of Human Person.”
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers is a standalone novel (but part of the “Wayfarers” series) that follows three alien travelers stranded on the desolate planet Gora. A freak technological failure halts all traffic, forcing them to interact with the inhabitants of the Five-Hop One-Stop, a spacefaring rest stop. The story explores themes of cultural understanding, acceptance, and the complexities of human (and alien) relationships.
Recent honors for this book include –
- 2022 Hugo Award Nominee
- 2022 Locus Award for Best Novel Nominee
The book may be purchased in the Elms College bookstore.
Elms Innovation Challenge
The Elms Innovation Challenge is an experiential learning opportunity for all first years students to collaborate on innovative ways to tackle the big problems.
This year’s challenge teaches students design thinking, the innovation process and team building skills. There will be a common theme of innovation related to sustainability and the environment.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Wednesday 10/22- REQUIRED – Innovation Challenge Semi-Finals 12:15pm to 2:40pm
Friday 10/24- REQUIRED – Innovation Challenge Final Round- 9:30am to 12:00pm Veritas
LIVE INNOVATION CHALLENGE
9:30am-11:30am
Final Round Team Presentations – Veritas Auditorium
11:30 am-12:00pm
● Final Presentations
● Judges Deliberations
● Awards
12:15pm-1:15pm– Food Truck & Music in the Quad
What is the Innovation Challenge?
Overview
Students will be placed in teams of 5-6 students with their first-year seminar course. These teams will work together learning about brainstorming, design thinking, innovation and problem solving. Student teams will use this process to create a new “innovation” and pitch that innovation live to a panel of judges. Individuals can win money if their team is selected by the judges. See the prize information and judging criteria later in the workbook.
The Objective
• Develop students’ professional and networking skills
• Approach problem solving and innovation in a systematic way
• Provide authentic leadership and teamwork experience
• Increase the sense of belonging to the Elms Community
• Integrate more experiential learning activities into the curriculum
Student Outcomes
• Outcome #1: Students will demonstrate critical and empathetic analysis of a problem linked to Catholic Social Teaching.
• Outcome #2: Students will be able to articulate the importance of developing a deep insight into customer needs, desires, and aspirations
• Outcome #3: Students will discover their personal leadership styles
• Outcome #4: Students will be able to apply specific tools and methodologies to enhance creativity and enable innovation
VIEW PAST INNOVATION CHALLENGES
First Year Seminar Directors and Instructors:
Co-Directors for First Year Seminar and Innovation Challenge:
Amanda Garcia, MSA, CPA, CFP
garciaamanda@elms.edu
Amanda Garcia is the Director of Graduate Business Programs and the MBA, she also serves as Co-Chair to the undergraduate business division and associate professor of accounting and finance at Elms College. Amanda earned her B.A. in accounting from Elms College and her master of science in accounting from Western New England University. She teaches in the disciplines of accounting, finance, economics and entrepreneurship.She is a certified public accountant and a certified financial planner. She has owned a tax and consulting business for over 18 years, specializing in small business, rental properties, and tax planning for individuals with investments. Amanda is the treasurer for the IACBE Board of Directors. She is a 2010 Business West 40 under 40 awardee and volunteers with Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts and other local charities.
Jennifer L. Granger Sullivan, Ed.D.
grangersullivanj@elms.edu
Jennifer L. Granger Sullivan, Ed.D. is the Director of the Dolores Donlin Noonan ’39 Experiential Learning Program at Elms College, where she has been working to coordinate, expand and enhance opportunities for community engagement since Fall 2021. She is also the Co-Director of the First Year Seminar and serves as an instructor for one of the sections. Jennifer is also a Visiting Assistant Professor at Salem State University, teaching in their Higher Education in Student Affairs graduate program. Previously, as Director of Student Activities and Orientation at Lasell University, she taught a First Year Seminar course on leadership, and grew the Office of Student Activities and Orientation that focused on student leadership development, new student, transfer, and family orientation programming, student clubs and organization, and campus activities and traditions. Jennifer also served as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Lasell University. She was awarded the Lasell University Thomas E.J. de Witt Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership in 2012. Jennifer has a doctorate in higher education administration from Northeastern University, a Master in Education with a focus on higher education and student affairs administration, and a B.A. in History from UMass Dartmouth. She spent over a decade serving on the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Board of Directors, including serving as President and Vice President. In 2019, Jennifer was awarded the UMass Dartmouth Outstanding Alumni Service Award. Additionally, Jennifer was a leader within the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention – NODA for over a decade, being a regional conference host, annual conference committee member, regional conference committee member, national Small College Network chair. She was awarded the Regional Outstanding Professional Presentation, Regional Outstanding Professional, and the Regional New Professional.
FYS Instructors:
Ryan Failing
failingr@elms.edu
Mr. Failing (He,him,his) is originally from Michigan where he obtained his Bachelors of Public Health Education & Promotion from Central Michigan University and his Masters Degree of Higher Education Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University. His professional career started in healthcare working as a phlebotomist. After completing his Masters, he worked at Coastal Carolina University as a student success advisor. He then transitioned to Residence Life working at NHTI in Concord, NH. Currently Mr. Failing serves as the Director of Residence Life at Elms College. Mr. Failing is a father of two toddlers, Isaac and Magnolia. When he isn’t working or doing dad things he enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, and playing video games.
Michael McGravey
mcgraveym@elms.edu
Dr. McGravey earned his doctorate in systematic theology from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). He holds a master’s degree in theology and religious studies from Villanova University and a bachelor’s from Gannon University.
Dr. McGravey’s experience as an educator began as a member of the Religious Studies department at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2005-2009). At Duquesne University, Dr. McGravey was employed as a teaching assistant, instructor, and adjunct professor in the Theology Department. Dr. McGravey also worked as an Instructional Consultant for faculty in the University’s Center for Teaching Excellence.
Dr. McGravey’s Navigating Postmodern Theology: Insights from Jean-Luc Marion and Gianni Vattimo’s Philosophy (Lexington Books-Fortress Academic) reflects his interest in Continental Philosophy, Phenomenology, and Theology. His research continues to explore post-secularism, ecclesiology, religion and politics, Eastern and Western Religious Traditions, the science of teaching and learning, and education and politics.
Dr. McGravey is the Associate Editor of Charity in Truth: A Journal of Ethics, Religion, and Culture and directs Elms’ Institute for Theology and Pastoral Studies. Dr. McGravey has also published several book reviews in the field of religious studies and political theology.
Breanna Marcyoniak
marcyoniakb@elms.edu
Bre Marcyoniak serves as the Associate Athletic Director, Head Softball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator within the athletics department. She received her bachelor’s degree of Science from UMass Dartmouth and earned her master’s degree in sports management and athletic administration from Southern New Hampshire University. In addition to her athletic department work, she serves as an academic success coach with the Center for Student Success.
Laura McNeil, Ph.D.
mcneill@elms.edu
Laura McNeil is the director of the Honors Scholar Program and a professor of history at Elms College. She received her B.A. from Hampshire College and her Ph.D. in history from Boston College. She offers survey courses in European and world history, and upper-level courses in her areas of specialization, modern Ireland and Britain. She enjoys travel and good food. As such, she has led study-abroad trips to Ireland and Italy, and enjoys offering unusual experiential-learning classes, most notably HIS250: “A Taste of Freedom,” a historical and culinary exploration of the American immigration experience.
Pamela Cote-Hammarlof, Ph.D.
cote-hammarlofp@elms.edu
Dr. Cote-Hammarlof is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Technology at Elms College. Before coming to Elms Professor Cote-Hammarlof studied the cell cycle in yeast as a post-doctoral research associate in the lab of Dr. Jennifer Benanti at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and taught various classes as a visiting Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the College of the Holy Cross and Assumption University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, running and going on adventures with her family.
Accreditation: B. A. Smith College, M.S. Smith College, Ph.D- University of Massachusetts Medical School
Rob Southall
southallr@elms.edu
Rob Southall serves as the assistant athletic director and head men’s basketball coach at Elms College. He earned his master’s in physical education and bachelor’s in movement studies from Springfield College. He currently serves as the national chair representative for the New England NCAA basketball regional advisory committee. Prior to his employment at Elms, he served as a lecturer of physical education at Springfield College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Michael Wysocki
wysockim@elms.edu
Mike Wysocki is the head coach of the men’s soccer team and teaches sports management at Elms College. He received his bachelor’s in business administration from Western New England University (WNEU) in 2013 and earned his juris doctor with a business law concentration from the WNEU School of Law. He holds a USSF D license and served as the assistant coach to the women’s soccer team at Elms prior to becoming the men’s soccer head coach in 2017. He also works with the Center for Student Success as an academic coach to help many students achieve their academic potential here at the college.