Presentation on Students First Mentoring Program

Peter Collier, assistant professor of sociology, will be giving a talk on the Students First Mentoring Program at PSU, a program designed to help first-generation students new to PSU and higher education.

Students are considered “first generation” when their parents have not finished a college degree in the United States by the time the child is 16. First-generation students may have a tougher time navigating the first year of higher education, according to Collier.

“This is kind of an effort to level the playing field,” Collier said. Students First adds to regular advising, giving students assistance in learning about different resources on campus and how to use them.

“We’re trying to help show students how to be successful,” Collier said. He added that that the Students First program tries to mentor and facilitate, not tutor or counsel. The program also works with transfers from local community colleges.

The talk will address Students First, share the goals the program has, and discuss what faculty and administration can do to help. Collier will frame the issue of retention–keeping students from dropping out in their first year.

“I hope to have it be an exchange of ideas,” he said. The talk, sponsored by the Center for Academic Excellence, will take place today from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 238, and is open to the public.