First-Gen FIT
Forty-Niner Intensive Transition Program
- This cohort is open to all students.
- This course will give you 3 credits and is included in your tuition (no extra costs)
- If you are registered to live on-campus, you can move in a week early to ease your transition to college!
Course Overview
The Summer Intensive Opportunity is a week-long, intensive course that will help prepare you for navigating college life at UNC Charlotte. The program is designed to provide admitted students with an opportunity to develop a platform of strategies to apply to any courses, whether required or not. Students participating in this week-long course will gain experience in study, time-management, written and oral communication, and problem-solving, which are essential for a successful college experience. Self-development and leadership skills are at the heart of this summer First-Gen FIT course.
Course Description
Prepare yourself for successfully navigating Charlotte.
The course is designed for UNC Charlotte incoming freshmen and transfer students planning to gain strategies for balancing study, life, and at times, professional experiences or work.
This program is designed to:
- Assist you with establishing a sense of belonging and community at UNC Charlotte.
- Building academic skills to ensure your college success.
- Become familiar with the UNC Charlotte campus and support services.
- Connect with opportunities to become involved and engaged on campus and in the local Charlotte community.
- Make lasting new friends.
- Reduce the stress of your first semester.
- Learn to write proactive communication for administration purposes, letters of recommendation, and documentation such as proposals, personal statements for scholarships, etc.
- Study multidimensional perspectives, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills.
In this course, attendance is mandatory because in each session, there will be a review of the material assigned on Canvas. Assignments could be readings, quizzes, writing, and videos.
Meet your instructors: Susana Cisneros & Chris Walls
Senior Lecturer in Spanish
- She is a Senior Lecturer of Spanish. She teaches elementary, intermediate, advanced Spanish, and Language for Specific Purpose Spanish course. She is currently serving as an advisor for the Club de Español ParaSpanish Club – Spanish Club C.E.P.A. Ms. Cisneros is originally from Argentina, where she attend Universidad Nacional de Cordoba obtaining a degree in Law. She has worked at UNC Charlotte since 2008.
- Education:
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Law, Bachelors, 2004
UNC Charlotte, M.A. in Spanish, 2009
Welcome to First-Gen FIT! We are excited to welcome you to Charlotte, and to provide a proper jumpstart to your college career. The university aims to engage students who are the first in their family to attend college by offering transition support, academic advising, professional development opportunities, mentorship, and more. In this program you will have an opportunity to meet other new first-generation students, build your resume, learn networking etiquette, and build confidence that will bleed into your first year at Charlotte. There will be two professional staff members and several peer mentors guiding you through this experience.
Chris Walls
Assistant Director for First-Generation Academic Initiatives
- Chris Walls currently serves as the Assistant Director for First-Generation Academic Initiatives in the Office of First-Year and Transition Programs. He is originally from Greensboro, NC, and studied Psychology at UNC Charlotte. He found his love for higher education as a student at Charlotte, and today enjoys advocating for students and eliminating barriers.
- Considers himself a chicken wing connoisseur
- Loves horror movies
- Is learning how to DJ
- Education:
- UNC Charlotte, Psychology, Bachelors, 2019
- North Carolina Central University, Higher Education Administration, Masters, 2023.
Peer Mentor
Peer Mentor
Peer Mentor
2026 Schedule and Location
- Online Engagement – Synchronous and Asynchronous starting August 7, 2026
- Move in early to UNC Charlotte dorms – Sunday 8/9/2026, 12 – 5 pm
- Face2Face Starts Monday, August 10, through Saturday, August 16
- The syllabus and full schedule will be on Canvas
- Make sure there are no conflicts with this schedule. This is a participation course; you must participate to pass.
UNC Charlotte Campus: Experience life as a 49er! Smart classrooms, study groups, and on-campus dining. Meeting location for the opening session will be sent via email.
How much is parking? Will I need a parking pass?
Parking passes are not required during the week of the program.
Do I need to buy meals?
Students will have their student ID, which can be used for on-campus dining.
Students staying on-campus in the fall
Students participating in this program should sign up to check into their fall residence hall early. There is no time during the week to move in and being on or near campus is important.
There is a $25/day fee for early check-in option. This will be added to your Fall housing bill and is covered by financial aid – details evolving on this).