Rise: Rotational Introduction to Software and Engineering for Major Exploration and First-Year Success

Retention in STEM majors remains a persistent challenge, particularly in the critical first year of university study. To help students make more informed decisions about their academic paths, we introduced CSE-125, a rotational exploratory course that offers first-year students hands-on experiences across computer science and engineering related disciplines (Computer Science/Information Technology, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Game Design and Development, and Cybersecurity). This exploratory study evaluates the effectiveness of CSE-125 in supporting major retention, selection stability, and student engagement, using institutional data from student cohorts before and after course implementation, supplemented by student survey responses. Visualization of student trajectories using Sankey diagrams reveal that participants in CSE-125 exhibited less frequent switching between majors, suggesting more informed early academic decisions. However, improvements in first-year persistent rates were not observed, suggesting the need for additional targeted academic support beyond exploratory experiences. These findings highlight the value of rotation-based exploratory courses as effective tools for promoting more informed decision-making, while pointing to their limitations and the need for further intervention.