Campus & Community

Orange Success Mentoring Program Launches

Wednesday, December 8, 2021, By Shannon Andre

In support of enhancing student connection and success on campus, the University has launched a mentoring program in partnership with Mentor Collective, an international online mentoring platform. Beginning in the spring 2022 semester, the pilot semester of the Orange Success Mentoring Program will connect first-generation new first-year and transfer undergraduate students with current sophomore and junior mentors at Syracuse University.

“Mentoring has a deeply meaningful impact on the student experience for both mentees and mentors, providing peer-to-peer connection, encouragement and support as they navigate campus, learn from one another and build their skills,” says Kal Srinivas, director of student retention and success. “Through our partnership with Mentor Collective, we will be able to grow the number of mentorship opportunities on campus and offer students a mentorship program that begins virtually.”

Highlighting the impact of mentoring to the student experience, Vice President for Student Success and Deputy to the Senior Vice President for Student Experience Cerri Banks adds, “I am so excited about this initiative and what it means for our students and the connections they will make that will keep them engaged and increase their sense of belonging.”

Managed by the team in Student Outreach and Retention, a unit within Student Experience, the pilot program uses the Mentor Collective platform to match mentees and mentors based on goals, interests and experiences. Throughout the spring semester, mentors and mentees can connect over the platform via their preferred communication channel.

While mentor and mentee applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to complete the mentor registration by Dec. 10, to complete training and begin matching with mentees in time for the start of the spring semester. Eligible mentees are encouraged to complete the mentee registration by Dec. 17.

For more information, visit the Orange Success Mentoring Program webpage or contact mentoring@syr.edu.