Empowering Success Through Peer Mentoring

The Peer Mentor program enhances the ability of higher education institutions to address advising and mentoring gaps. By engaging student leaders directly on campuses, we ensure persistent academic engagement and successful degree completion among college students.

A Collaborative Mentorship Model

We implement a peer mentoring model where experienced students guide their near peers – first-year students who are navigating the complexities of college life. This mentorship fosters relationships that promote college retention and successful degree completion.

Implementation Snapshot

Timeline:

3 year grant project 

(2022-2025)

Collaborative Partners:

Active Implementation with Tacoma Community College & Clover Park Technical College.

Support Structure:

Backed by College Access: Research & Action (CARA) and funded by the ECMC Foundation.

Focus on Priority Populations:

  • BIPOC students
  • First-generation college students
  • Low-income and Pell-eligible students
  • Foster youth
  • Unhoused students

Strategies Designed for Local Success

Our approach includes:

  • Applying CARA’s persistence and retention advising model to meet the specific needs of Tacoma and Pierce County.

  • Coaching college site supervisors to build sustainable peer mentoring programs.

  • Training student peer leaders in mentorship best practices, enhancing their understanding of campus community and the general college landscape.

The Power of Peer Support

Focused support through peer mentoring significantly boosts the ability of students to persist and succeed in college, especially for students of color and those impacted by poverty. This effort not only supports individual students but also strengthens our community’s educational infrastructure, paving the way for broader societal benefits.

College Persistence in Pierce County

Gain insights into the educational landscape with a detailed view of how students in our community are progressing through higher education. By presenting local persistence data, we highlight the broader challenges and successes influencing student retention and completion in our region.