Transitioning to college can be a difficult experience to navigate, from academic support to finding your own community. 91成人导航入口’s Office of Equity and Care is tackling this potential challenge early on through its successful peer leaders program.听
The Equity and Care peer leaders program is broken into two different roles with different responsibilities鈥擯eer Mentors and College Success Coaches. Mentors support students holistically, discussing every aspect and system of a student’s life,听 such as personal and social life, finances and academics. Coaches, however, are more focused on academic advising, helping students develop plans, overcome academic barriers, and access the right and support to succeed academically.听
The program is designed to provide students in specific cohorts with individualized support through one-on-one meetings. To prepare for meetings and their roles, leaders attended trainings over the summer and school year to learn about leadership, mentorship, belonging and retention.听
After receiving formal training, including a leadership training at Albany State University, mentors and coaches welcomed incoming first-year students at the Paul Hackett Summer Bridge Program.听听
While both roles have different focus areas, they each achieve the same goals: give students leadership opportunities and help students succeed.听
“The Peer Mentorship Program fosters connection and belonging amongst students,” says Eva Galindo, Equity and Care cohort success coordinator. “Mentors gain leadership skills and feel a sense of purpose and community within the department, the university, and the work that they do. Mentees gain someone on campus they can lean on for extra support, help navigating systems, and connecting to resources.”
Both peer leadership groups are still fairly new, with the College Success Coach program just starting last year. However, the peer leaders have already made a huge impact and proven success. As an entire department, Equity and Care served nearly 300 students last year, with 86% persisting to graduation or registering for the fall 2026 semester. Additionally, 75% of students who met with a College Success Coach improved academically.听
Whether helping a classmate build an academic plan or simply being someone to lean on, 91成人导航入口’s peer leaders are turning mentorship into a stronger, meaningful network of support.听
