LACEY, Wash. – The transition to college represents a pivotal step in a young person’s journey and is a significant milestone on the path toward turning dreams into reality. But finding your place on a bustling campus — whether you live in the dorms or commute — can be tricky, particularly during those crucial first months. At Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, administrators recognized this delicate transition period and responded by creating Saints Mentor with Heart, an innovative program designed to guide first-year students through this critical transition by pairing them with experienced upperclassmen. Through this peer mentorship program, incoming students can not only learn the skills they need to succeed in college but also gain connections that will last a lifetime.
Saint Martin’s University: local peer mentorship that transforms
Navigating the complex interplay of class schedules, homework, relationships and family dynamics while making new friends takes a little juggling. Educational studies show that structured mentorship programs benefit all participants. First-year students safely learn the ropes while exploring their new college with a supportive guide, building deeper feelings of community and engagement. Meanwhile, mentors develop essential professional skills in communication, leadership and consistent follow-through.
Crystal Cardona, who has been with Saint Martin’s for six years and is Program Manager of the Diversity and Equity Center, provides staff support for the Mentor Collective Partnership. Working alongside John Hopkins, the school’s Chief Diversity Officer who has served at Saint Martin’s since 2006, she helps administer this transformative program.
They explain that Saints Mentor with Heart began last fall as a way for incoming students to get their pressing questions answered, learn about campus resources from the people who know how to navigate them best, and make invaluable connections with their peers. “One thing that makes this program special,” says Cardona, “is that we have a large number of students who are the first-generation attending college in their families. As a result, it may be challenging to navigate college when you don’t know who to ask or where to look for a resource. This program allows the first-year student to connect with their mentor, who will walk with the student and support them through that process.”
Faculty, staff and leadership all encourage students to succeed at Saint Martin’s University
Building the Saints Mentor with Heart program has been one of the University’s long-standing institutional objectives. Hopkins explains that students have requested peer mentors for many years and the administration recognized the program’s value as a best practice which could foster student retention and feelings of belonging.
Hopkins loves sharing success stories from the program with school stakeholders, leadership, donors, the campus community, parents and families. He explains that other programming for new Saints includes mental health and well-being services through the Counseling and Wellness Center, academic guidance through the Advising Center and additional support from the Diversity and Equity Center (DEC), which hosts the peer mentorship program.
New student enrollees are introduced to the program as early as their summer orientation, says Cardona. This is when the Office of Admissions sends out announcements on sign-up procedures and matching surveys that pair incoming students with their future mentors.
Student success comes from engaging in community throughout the college experience
Peer mentor Jeita Irons enthusiastically endorses the program. “It is a good opportunity to develop friendships, gain access to opportunities and build a strong foundation for growth,” Jeita says. “I believe the mentorship program provides newcomers with a chance to build and develop character and strengthen skills. It also helps newcomers transition into college, as well as providing student resources.” Along with Cardona and Hopkins, Jeita is pleased with how the program is running, even in this first year of implementation.
Families and prospective students interested in learning more can contact Crystal Cardona directly at ccardona@stmartin.edu or by calling 360-688-2881. Incoming students should monitor their email for updates, timelines and instructions or can get matched with a mentor online today.
“Saints Mentor with Heart” has a simple mission: to build community and foster belonging so first-year students can thrive and succeed in all areas of university life. This reinforces the University’s mission to empower students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment in all arenas of human endeavor, honoring both the sacredness of the individual and the significance of community in the ongoing journey of becoming.
The college experience offers a uniquely transformative opportunity for growth. We learn how to learn, how to live harmoniously with others, manage schedules and workloads, balance academic responsibilities with social connections, and become independent adults. Having dedicated mentors to provide guidance along the way can help students avoid common pitfalls by benefiting from the wealth of their peers’ experience, especially when that guidance comes from the heart.
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