In these difficult economic times of budget cuts and limited resources determining best practices for making the most of existing assets while continuing to serve students effectively is critical. First-generation college-goers experience a variety of challenges as they enter and move through higher education. In fact, much of the existing research indicates that students whose parents did not attend college are more likely than their non first-generation counterparts to be less academically prepared for college, to have less knowledge of how to apply for college and for financial assistance, and to have more difficulty in acclimating themselves to college once they enroll (Tym, et al., 2005). As Vargas (2004) explains, low-income, minority, and first-generation students are especially likely to lack specific types of “college knowledge.” Zimmerman (2000) asserts that at-risk students are less likely to seek help when they need it. As such, educational institutions must provide students with specific types of resources and support to insure that they move through college successfully. Peer mentoring programs like the one to be described here can serve to supplement existing programmatic and institutional efforts to support first-generation students, while building capacity and empowering students through the development of critical college knowledge.

Participants will:

• Gain a better understanding of the role peer mentoring can play in supporting first-generation college students to degree completion;
• Learn about best practices for identifying and selecting peer mentors;
• Determine which peer mentoring services are appropriate for your campus and student population;
• Learn best practices for delivery of peer mentoring services;
• Learn how to empower peer mentors and mentees through the peer mentoring relationship;
• Acquire knowledge and skills to build programmatic and institutional capacity through the use of peer mentors;
• Discuss various methods for evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of your peer mentoring program.

• 2-year institutions & 4-year institutions
• Vice President Academic Affairs/Instruction
• Dean of Instruction
• Advising
• Counseling
• Career Services
• Recruiters
• Residence Life
• Retention Specialist
• Student Life
• Developmental Education
• Diversity
• First Year Experience
• Learning Centers
• Tutoring