The University of Wisconsin-Madison's popular First-Year Interest Groups (FIGs) program has a new leader: Madison native and UW-Madison alumnus Nathan Phelps (B.A.'89, Anthropology and History).
Phelps, who has spent the past 14 years at Western Kentucky University in various capacities, replaces Greg Smith, who retired last year.
Phelps
The FIGs program, which is administered by the College of Letters & Science, provides first-year students with the chance to take three courses connected by a common theme as part of a cohort. The 20 or so students in each FIG support each other academically and socially, easing the transition to college and creating an enriched learning experience.
Since starting with four pilot sections and 75 students in 2001, the program has grown immensely and now includes more than 60 sections for more than 1,100 students. Phelps says he is excited to take over such a dynamic program.
"My vision for the FIGs program is that it will continue to be a place where first-year students are exposed to great teaching, interesting ideas, and strong and supportive peer networks," he says. "I hope to build on the strengths of the current FIGs program by working with existing faculty and also bringing in new people who are interested in developing their own FIGs."
Phelps grew up on Madison's near west side, spending his free time exploring the UW Arboretum, fishing on Lake Wingra and taking the bus downtown to the Wisconsin Historical Society. He joined Western Kentucky University as a history instructor in 2001 and, after holding several administrative roles, worked as an assistant professor of honors and interdisciplinary studies in 2014.
"I am very interested in interdisciplinary teaching and learning, working with first-year students, and networking with colleagues from disparate backgrounds," Phelps says. "The opportunity to be a part of a program that helps students get off to a great start by engaging them with challenging and interesting material, while also supporting them and helping them build social networks, is very compelling to me."
Phelps was hired following a nationwide search. John Karl Scholz, dean of the College of Letters & Science, calls Phelps an ideal fit for the position.
"The FIGs program is a tremendous tool for inspiring young students and introducing them to diverse educational material, topics, and themes," Scholz says. "I am excited to see the energy that Nathan will bring to our instructors, students and staff in the college."