The Cal Poly Pomona First Year Experience (FYE) Committee has selected the Common Read for the 2019-20 academic year. Students in First Year Experience courses throughout the year will read Michelle Obama's memoir, "Becoming."

In "Becoming," Obama chronicles the experiences that have shaped her from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her time as First Lady of the United States. "Becoming" was one of five finalists for this year's book, and three university community members submitted the title in a campus-wide call for nominations.

"The Office of Student Success and FYE are really excited about students reading 'Becoming.' There is so much we can learn from her stories," said Dora Lee, Director of Academic Support and Learning Services. "She talks about her childhood, growing up in a working-class family, and her experience as a first-generation college student attending a predominantly white male college. And her journey reminds us of how we as humans are always evolving and developing to become what we aspire to become."

Throughout the 2019-20 academic year, FYE will host programming and events around the memoir's themes. These events will be open to all Cal Poly Pomona community members, and more information will be available on the FYE website later this year.

Established in 2007, FYE is a growing community within the Cal Poly Pomona campus. Each college has an FYE-designated course, where both first-time freshmen and transfer students learn more about student life and opportunities for their major.

The Common Read is organized by the Office of Student Success and the First Year Experience Committee, comprised of faculty and staff across colleges and divisions.