Student Mentorship Program
F.R.I.E.N.D.S
(Far-Reaching Interaction Empowering New Diverse Students)
The F.R.I.E.N.D.S Program is designed to provide first year students from historically underrepresented groups and international students with a guiding voice from upper class students in order to support their adjustment and acclamation to college.
How does it work?
Either through planned events or spontaneous interaction, student mentors maintain periodic communication with new students providing them with information about the campus and its resources. This interaction may be of great benefit and value to new students as they adapt to college-life and its challenges including, but not limited to:
- Understanding the differences between high school and college (i.e., faculty expectations, academic policy, time-management, etc.).
- Out-of-the-classroom opportunities:
- Student Organizations
- Greek Life
- Athletics
- Traditions
- Other
- Identifying and referring students to campus and off-campus resources.
The input and perspective that current students can share with new students is unique and provides an important piece in a new student’s academic and social success.
Interested in being a Mentor or Mentee?
We welcome and strongly encourage students interested in providing or receiving this support to contact us via e-mail at DiversityBehrend@psu.edu or by phone at 898-6111. Please feel free to stop by and talk to Andy Herrera at the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs located in the Student Affairs Suite, second floor of the Reed Union Building, room 115.