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Can college be intimidating when there is no one to show you the ropes? PETER COLLIER, sociology faculty, thinks so, and findings from his mentoring program for students who are the first in their family to go to college, bear this out. Collier discusses the Students First program, now in its second year at PSU.

Q: What was the most significant result from the pilot year of Students First?
A: While we expected our students’ grade point averages and retention levels to be higher than average, we were surprised that they also completed more credit hours each term.

Q: Doesn’t it just take smarts and hard work to succeed at a university?
A: No, a critical part of success involves what we like to call navigation skills. We help students find needed resources, connect to the campus and other students, and basically develop strategies to help them get the work done.

Q: Do you think it makes a difference having students with similar backgrounds mentoring your students?
A: Yes, our new students do not have parents telling them about their college days. In a way, our peer mentors help fill this gap. The peer mentors are first-generation students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree.