OCEANSIDE — MiraCosta College’s new Academic Peer Mentoring Program has begun, thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Student Success Committee. The goal of the program is to provide first-year students, who are new to college, with the foundational support they need to succeed.
The program partners new students with continuing students for help and guidance. The program also offers field trips, free school supplies, academic success workshops, organized study halls and team building.
“This is the kind of personal touch that connects students to the institution and I hope will help them to be more successful,” said Richard Robertson, MiraCosta’s interim superintendent/president.
The program currently consists of 23 peer mentors who are second- and third-year students, and approximately 200 first-year mentees. To participate, mentees must be new college students who are first generation college students, athletes, or a participant in other MiraCosta College programs such as First Year Experience (FYE), Umoja or Puente, or have scored at pre-transfer levels for math and/or English.
“The program helps students who have taken the next step to see the value of their choice and keep them on the right track, which is very rewarding and a great pleasure to be part of,” said Peer Mentor and Associated Student Government member Charity Singleton.
“I feel that the peer mentoring program is important because the mentors genuinely want to see you do well and succeed as a student at MiraCosta — and beyond. I would recommend anyone of any age join the program,” Mentee Gaby Gaston said.
For more information about the Academic Peer Mentoring Program, including how to join, email [email protected] or visit the program’s Web site.
