Hullabaloo U Defines College Experience for First-Year Aggies
Every Aggie's journey starts with Hullabaloo U (HU), a first-year experience course that sets expectations, builds confidence and lays the foundation for success at Texas A&M University.
Housed in the Office for Student Success in the Division of Academic Affairs, Hullabaloo U equips new Aggies with tools, support and connections for their first year in College Station.
The course has multiple missions: to make students feel at home and supported on Texas A&M’s 5,200-acre campus, to get them excited to plug in to available opportunities and to educate them about the university's resources in a manageable and meaningful way.
“Our goal is to help students feel connected to Texas A&M from the start,” said Meredith Malnar, director of first-year experiences. “We share important information and connect them with resources, but our primary outcome is developing a true sense of belonging. Before we can set students up for academic success, we have to ensure they know they belong here.”
Creating comfort in a large university
With a student body of over 81,000, Texas A&M can feel overwhelming, especially for those stepping onto a campus for the first time. Hullabaloo U aims to make the university feel smaller by limiting each course to a class of 25 students, giving students a built-in cohort of peers to connect with.
“First-year students often walk into lecture halls with hundreds of classmates,” said Malnar. “Hullabaloo U flips that experience, giving them a classroom where instructors know their names and where genuine community can take root.”
Instructors play a key role in creating connections. Chance Medlin ’07, a learning and student engagement librarian who has taught a Hullabaloo U course annually since 2019, said he’s seen the impact firsthand.
“Being a first-year student can feel stressful and overwhelming,” said Medlin. “It can be easy to feel like just a number if you don’t have a community to connect with. Creating those opportunities for connection, building friendships and finding their place provides comfort and confidence that can carry students far.”
Adapting classrooms to students
Each Hullabaloo U course helps students explore life goals, learn about campus resources, build community and develop strategies for academic success and personal wellness.
These activities are flexible and adaptable, shaped by the unique experiences and expertise of each instructor. Faculty members are encouraged to draw on their expertise to create engaging and meaningful lessons.
Instructors don’t just deliver information; they adapt in real time — shifting discussions, adding interactive activities or sharing real-world examples to meet students’ needs and interests.
That adaptability, Medlin noted, is what makes Hullabaloo U different from a typical first-year course.
“In every class, you have to pay attention and recognize what works for those particular students,” he said. “One semester, I integrated challenges into the lessons and it was a game-changer. The next semester, it wasn’t as effective.”
“Beyond that, you have to understand what students see as valuable or want to know more about and adjust your focus to meet those needs,” said Medlin.
Jennifer Ford, senior associate director in Student Life, is in her second semester as a Hullabaloo U instructor. With 25 years of experience in higher education, she said she draws on her experience working with college students to understand and address concerns throughout the stresses of a semester.
“The first round of tests, usually around the third or fourth week of class, is a high-stress point,” said Ford. “I’ve walked countless students through that moment over the years. I know firsthand that they will be fine and sharing success stories eases their stress and provides encouragement.”
Aggies guiding Aggies
Embedded into the framework of every Hullabaloo U course is peer mentorship, with a Texas A&M student serving as a role model, resource and leader for first-year students. Nearly 700 peer mentors support more than 600 sections, offering guidance, encouragement and firsthand insight into navigating the Aggie experience.
Alfredo Aguilar ‘26 said being a peer mentor means being a light to younger students and advising them through the tough portions of college life.
“Freshman year was tough for me,” said Aguilar. “Adjusting to college life and being on your own shifts your priorities and I lost sight that schooling should be a top priority for me. I wanted to be a peer mentor to help students understand that college is difficult, but that’s okay. We are here to help you navigate it.”
Aguilar said that Hullabaloo U peer mentors are trained to exemplify the Aggie tradition of supporting one another. They connect with first-year students by seeing eye-to-eye, being honest about challenges and offering a listening ear when needed.
“I am a student just like they are,” said Aguilar. “I use university resources, I understand that balancing class and personal life is hard and I want to help them maximize their success at here.”
Student goals, Texas A&M resources
Hullabaloo U goes beyond academics by helping students connect with campus resources and support. It teaches them that thriving at Texas A&M means knowing where to turn for help and how to use it, according to Malnar.
“We make sure students know about resources such as the writing and math learning centers and the services they provide,” said Malnar. “A big part of Hullabaloo U is normalizing help-seeking behavior. These resources aren’t just for when you’re struggling. They’re tools that successful, thriving Aggies use.
Ford said it’s about knowing what’s available to them and being willing to make the most of what Texas A&M offers.
“They come in with high standards for themselves,” Ford said. “What Hullabaloo U does so well is show them how to meet those expectations — whether it’s going to office hours, visiting the writing center or being comfortable using campus resources.”
For thousands of new Aggies each year, Hullabaloo U is more than a class. It’s the first step in building their confidence, finding their community and making Texas A&M feel like home.
Learn more about the Office of Student Success and its mission to help connect first-year Aggies to Texas A&M.
