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The two-credit Engineering First Year Launch (FYL) course is designed for incoming general engineering students. This course introduces students to engineering as a discipline, the engineering program at FLC, and the people, places, and practices that shape our departmental community. Through interactive presentations, hands-on mini-projects, department events, structured reflection, and engagement with campus resources, you will gain early exposure to engineering pathways while building the academic and social foundations needed to thrive at FLC.

Solutions for environmental problems are complex. In this interdisciplinary course, we will study climate, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, environmental justice, and more. Learn from outdoor activities, lively discussions, and informative lectures. This is the first course students interested in majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Conservation & Management should take. And as a combination Liberal Arts Core/First-Year Launch course, this course also meets two core requirements for first year students.

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This course uses pickleball as a fun, accessible way to build community, get active, and start strong in college. Through skill development, play, and reflection, you'll connect with your peers while exploring campus resources that support academic success, well-being, and belonging. No prior experience required—just a willingness to move, learn, and engage.

Theatre is immediate, alive, and inspiring! This course is a blend of experiential “on-your-feet” learning, plus lectures.  We’ll explore theatre histories, and experiment with acting, playwriting, designing, and directing. Through hands-on mini-projects, seeing live theatre, reflections, and engagement with campus resources, students will explore, grow, and be creative together. No previous theatre experience is necessary! 

In Honors First Year Launch, we’ll build our Honors community, discuss practices to help you manage your time and engage in self-compassion. We’ll also learn more about what life is like at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ¸ßÇåÎÞשÂëÇøand in Durango and learn bridging skills. Our course is focused on exploring place and creating community to care for others and for ourselves.

Description: Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ¸ßÇåÎÞשÂëÇøstudents learn by doing—through hands-on and creative projects, undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, ExCEL classes and more. Experiential learning is a hallmark of an Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ¸ßÇåÎÞשÂëÇøeducation. This course helps students discover the people, resources, and opportunities that can help them create a meaningful college experience and make the most of their time at FLC. Students will develop skills for academic success, including navigating Canvas, managing their time effectively, exploring career pathways, and reflecting on the history and legacy of the Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School. Through exploration, reflection, and engagement with the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ¸ßÇåÎÞשÂëÇøcommunity, students will learn how to connect their interests, values, and goals to the many opportunities available at FLC. Students will share their learning through infographics at the FYL Showcase.

What if your college experience was something you could design, just like an event? In this hands-on course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of event planning while building real-world skills you can use throughout college. From idea to execution, you’ll explore how to plan, promote, and bring an experience to life. Through interactive activities, campus exploration, and group collaboration, you’ll: Discover your strengths and how they shape your role on a team; Learn the basics of planning, marketing, and logistics; Explore campus spaces, events, and opportunities; and Design your own event or experience as a final capstone. This course is active, creative, and collaborative. Perfect for students who want to get involved, meet people, and learn by doing.

Students will connect to their new home in Durango by learning about local history, traditions, and favorite spots. Activities may include trying local coffee, visiting a trail, attending community events, finding a favorite study spot, connecting with campus resources, and creating a personal Durango guide.  Build relationships with your peers and fall in love with our community.

The Earth inspires us! Each week, we will experiment with different visual media to capture the natural world around us, and you’ll create a piece that showcases an example of how Earth’s tectonics have affected humanity. No artistic experience is needed – we will focus on exploration, growth, and creativity!

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In this launch course, we will spend much of our time trying new teas. While we have our weekly tea parties, we will also spill the college tea. In other words, we will talk about all the things you should know to be successful in college.

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