Abby Cohen has been promoted to director of First-Year Experience and Orientation, effective immediately. Cohen will report 
to Dr. Peggy Burke, associate provost, and be the first full-time director of the FYE program.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Abby and watching the program grow,” Burke said.
Cohen was the assistant director of First-Year Experience under Dr. Nancy Casey, who was serving in that capacity on a part-time basis while still holding down faculty and department chair responsibilities in the School of Education.
“Nancy was the one responsible for the leadership that established the FYE program, its offerings and the working committee. She also worked closely with Abby from the time she was first hired to develop the rich and successful program we have today,” Burke said. “There is no way we can thank Nancy enough for her remarkable efforts to make FYE such a successful program.”
Cohen will be, in part, responsible for:
• coordinating the integration of all First-Year Experience activities including FRES 100, FRES 101, UNIV 101, Peer Coach program and Peer Mentor program;
• acting as the official liaison for First-Year Experience with the admissions and advancement offices, and other groups as appropriate;
• working collaboratively with academic deans, department chairs and faculty to develop and support First-Year Experience academic experiences;
• coordinating campus-wide professional development and training activities related to First-Year Experience;
• and the development of the Orientation and Welcome Days programs and related programs for new students.
“It is an honor to be presented the opportunity to lead the First-Year Experience and Orientation program as director,” Cohen said. “I look forward to continuing to provide the best support possible to students transitioning into the St. Bonaventure community. Under Nancy’s leadership, FYE saw tremendous growth. I will strive to continue the momentum that Nancy built while keeping the students’ best interest at heart.”
Cohen has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Bonaventure (2008), and a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from Canisius College.
______________
About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them.