The Enhanced Academic Success Experience (EASE) Initiative at the School of Biological Sciences is a unique learning community program aimed at improving the academic outcomes and overall college experience of first-year students.

The program is structured around small cohorts of 30 students who take the same first-year biology and chemistry courses together, meet weekly with a senior peer mentor and have access to EASE-specific student counselors. These supportive elements are designed to enhance the students’ sense of belonging, academic and social integration, and overall success in their studies.

The results of the program continue to be positive, as EASE students have shown improved first-year GPAs and a greater sense of belonging and integration into the university community. This impact on students’ academic and personal lives highlights the importance of supporting initiatives like EASE.

Philanthropic support is crucial in ensuring that programs like EASE continue to grow and thrive. Financial contributions can help provide the resources necessary to expand the program, hire additional staff, and provide more comprehensive support to students. The School of Biological Sciences encourages those who are able to support this program through philanthropic gifts to do so, ensuring that the EASE program remains available to future generations of anteaters.

If you are considering a donation to support the EASE Initiative, please donate to the Dean’s Excellence Fund, which funds EASE and other programs. For more information on philanthropic gifts, contact Denise Khaw, Director of Development, at dkhaw@uci.edu.