If you know the five Ds (dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge) then you're ready for a game of dodgeball. And if you're ready for a game of dodgeball, you'll do just fine in First-Year Seminar taught by Nicole Cosentino, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor.
Cosentino passionately believes that First-Year Seminar, regardless of the theme, should facilitate a strong sense of community among the students.
"My goal as an educator in this capacity is to teach them to interact with each other, the world around them, other humans, and themselves with respect, courtesy, healthy curiosity, and empathy."
So, that's the goal, but how? When pondering that question last year when teaching FYS for the first time, Cosentino admits to feeling "pure terror." A field trip is part of FYS, though Cosentino wasn't sure how to weave her aspirations of community and connection into an off-campus adventure. And then, the idea hit her like a rubber ball off the back of the head. Dodgeball.
"Having five classes of Saints allowed me to create a space for nearly 80 members of the freshman class to get to know each other with a game whose awesomeness has truly stood the test of time."
On April 14, the students – in their custom shirts – took over the turf at Afrim's. She intentionally shuffled the teams to integrate classes and friend groups, and then unleashed them (in a non-threatening way) onto one another.
"Hearing them cheer each other on, scream excitedly during particularly tense matches, and encourage team members who were the last one standing against several opponents made every moment of planning worth it. When my students thrive academically, I know my lessons are clear. But, when my students thrive socially and demonstrate their self-confidence and motivation, then I know I have provided them the space to grow on their own terms and celebrate their victories and the victories of their peers."
Cosentino says she's already looking forward to next year's field day.
"Field day with Dr. Cosentino is a night I will never forget. It was so nice to interact with kids in my class who I normally wouldn't talk to outside of class or discussing homework. Meeting and working with kids from her others classes gave us the opportunity to make new friends, build team building skills as well as being able to be ourselves. FYS class with Dr. Cosentino is the best class I took as a freshman here!!! She is amazing, and cares about her students so much."
Rebecca Hall '26
"I enjoyed the field day because it enabled us to connect with other students we might not have otherwise had the opportunity to. The field day also taught how to not only be a good teammate, but how to represent Siena in a meaningful and positive manner."
John Tarleton '26