At the core of Bentley’s First Year Experience is the Falcon Discovery Seminar (FDS). The Seminar is designed to inspire a commitment to lifelong learning, introduce essential academic skills, and create a strong sense of belonging among first year students.
Dive into Big Problems
What makes a good life in a changing world? Should life be a game? What defines us in an age of machines?
Dedicated FDS faculty will challenge you to explore big questions—like climate change, AI, and social media—while helping you develop creative solutions and fresh ways to think about complex issues.
Learn more about FDS faculty and courses.
Start College Strong
How do you stay healthy, manage your time, and begin research?
FDS Peer Leaders (PLs) are here to help you tackle these questions—and so much more. From using AI responsibly and finding campus resources to working with integrity and developing essential information literacy skills, PLs are your go-to guides for a successful first year.
Find Your Community
Begin your Bentley story by forming lasting connections and pursuing your passions. Start building relationships through orientation and Shared Experiences on entrepreneurship, inclusion, and sustainability. Join one of Bentley’s 130 student organizations and launch into career design with a 6-week spring intensive course.
First-gen? Check out FDS classes designed just for you.
Meet the Team
Chris Beneke, Associate Dean, First Year Experience and the Bentley Core
Jamie Bang, Associate Director, Student Success Programs
Jane De León Griffin, Associate Provost for Student Success
