Beginning in Fall 2025, all Trinity Arts & Sciences students will participate in a multi-disciplinary, transformational, and community-building First-Year Experience by participating in a Constellation, FOCUS Cluster, or Duke Embark.
Similarities between the programs
Constellations, FOCUS, and Duke Embark provide the keys to a transformational educational experience as students engage in deep learning through multidisciplinary approaches to specific topics, themes, and disciplines in groups of related courses. FOCUS, Constellations, and Duke Embark courses are open only to first-year students, supporting community building as soon as students arrive on campus. The courses meet a range of requirements, including majors, minors, certificates, and the Arts and Sciences Liberal Arts requirements. FOCUS, Constellations, and Duke Embark students take the same number of classes as part of their First-Year Experience.
Class of 2030 students will have the opportunity to express presentences for their Constellation, FOCUS cluster, or Duke Embark starting in April 2026.
Distinctive features of Constellations
Constellations take place across a student's first year: one course in the fall semester, one in the spring, and the Writing 120 course in either semester. Constellations range in size, with 4-13 courses offered in each Constellation, allowing students additional choices in course selection. Constellations provide opportunities for interaction outside the classroom through experiential activities in fall and spring semesters.
Explore 2026-2027 Constellations
Distinctive features of FOCUS
FOCUS takes place during the fall semester of the first year, with students taking two seminar courses within their cluster. Then, they take their Writing 120 course during the spring semester. Students live together in the same residence hall, which offers many opportunities for exchange and collaboration. FOCUS clusters include a weekly dinner in the fall semester and additional co-curricular opportunities.
Explore 2026-2027 FOCUS clusters
Distinctive Features of Duke Embark
Duke Embark takes place across the first year, beginning with a residential experience at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort during the fall semester. Students take an interdisciplinary set of courses that connect classroom learning with place-based experiences on the North Carolina coast, then continue their studies on Duke’s Durham campus in the spring semester. As a cohort, Embark students live and learn together, creating opportunities for close collaboration, mentoring, and community-building. The program also includes co-curricular activities, a fall travel opportunity, field experiences, and engagement with faculty, staff, and campus partners throughout the year.