The Power of Peer Mentoring: Supporting the Success & Retention of First-Generation College Students

1. The Power of Peer Mentoring:Integral to the success & retention of first generation college students California State University, Fresno Veronica Elias John Lor Dennis Padilla EOP 40th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE MARCH 8-10, 2009

2. EOP Fresno Trivia • How many Peer Mentors do we employ? • What year did EOP Peer Mentoring start on the Fresno State Campus?

3. Student Population Approximately 1700 students

4. Program Objectives Goal 1: Assist students in understanding program requirements Goal 2: Assess and monitor students’ academic progress Goal 3: Assist students with major and career exploration Goal 4: Inform students of opportunities designed to develop and enhance leadership skills Goal 5: Inform students of opportunities available to enhance personal and social development

5. Primary Functions Moving in: Facilitating student transition to the university Moving through: Fostering student persistence towards graduation Moving on: Preparing students for graduation and beyond

6. Program Structure

7. Entering Unit Approximately 650 students (40%) 4 Fulltime EOP Counselors Peer Mentors 5 undergraduate students, various departments 1 Child Family Studies intern 3 Counseling and Student Services graduate interns 1 National University graduate intern

8. Continuing Unit Approximately 1100 students (60%) 4 Fulltime EOP Counselors Peer Mentors 4 Social Work undergraduate interns 1 Social Work graduate intern 1 Child Family Studies Intern 1 Scholars Service Grant student assistant 1 McNair Scholars Program research assistant

9. Peer Mentor Program Supervision Monthly Meeting Weekly Training Peer Training Manual Topics Caseload management Duties & Responsibilities

10. Economic Impact Hiring Freeze Reduction in the program budget Operating costs Student activities Paid peer mentors Peer Mentors’ work hours Increased student caseloads for peer mentors

11. Peer Staff

12. Partnerships Volunteers In-house recruitment- EOP students Work-study Social Work Department Undergraduate Graduate Child Family Studies Department Undergraduate Department of Education- Counseling Student Services Graduate National University (outside universities) Career Services Scholars Service Grant McNair Scholars Program

13. Future Partnerships Develop collaboration with Community Service and Civic Engagement Office Units/Credits Community Colleges Other campus departments Psychology Department Communication Department Strengthen relationship with McNair Program Research development and Data collection

14. Suggestions/Questions?

15. Contact Info. Veronica Elias velias@csufresno.edu John Lor johnl@csufresno.edu Dennis Padilla djpadilla@csufresno.edu