2008 Woodie Awards
First-generation students shown the ropes
By: Leah Cooper, Managing Editor
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: News
A new mentor/mentee program plans to match mentors with first-generation freshman starting next week in an effort to help these first-time college students adjust to the academic and social struggles.
Flor Madero, coordinator of First-generation RAMS, said the number of first-generation students outnumbers the number of trained mentors and most mentors will work with more than one student. The students who applied for the program but could not receive a mentor because of the limited number available will be eligible for what Madero calls the first-generation student organization.
"We are trying to create (this organization)… to bring to a larger group what we are doing with the smaller group without the mentors," Madero said. "We don't want to leave them completely out. Even though they may not get a one-on-one with a mentor, we are still going to do the money management and all of the things (with the RAMS program)."
First-generation college students are students who would be the first in their families to complete higher education through two- and four- year postsecondary institutions. According to Madero, first-generation students tend to be minority students.
The mentors will discuss topics with their mentees about study skills, time management, conflict resolution, relationship building, financial aid opportunities, money management and ASU support services.
Sophomore Marissa Contreras, who is a mentor for the program said she is trying to get more involved with first-generation students like herself.
The mentors, who must be first-generation students as well, will assist mentees with life skills, such as, social, financial and academic experiences.
Junior mentor Isabel Carillo, who learned of the program from Joe Muñoz, Senior Executive Assistant to the President, said she hopes to be a strong role model for the mentees.
"Freshmen are getting into a new culture," Carillo said. "It's a big transition from high school. We are here to help them look at their syllabus and share our personal examples."
Madero said the only problem she can foresee is if mentors and mentees fail to work together.
"Sometimes, we have a mentor who really tries and a mentee who really tries, but they are not together," Madero said.
She said she hopes to eliminate this problem with several initiatives: by having the mentee sign a contract insisting he/she attend every meeting and requiring commitment to the mentor/mentee relationship work and offering scholarships.
"We are going to give them an opportunity to apply for scholarships," Madero said. "But part of the application is going to include an evaluation from their mentor or their mentee."
Madero said the mentor/mentee evaluation will be considered when a student applies for the scholarship.
"Our hope with this program is to increase the retention of this population, which is so large," Madero said. "Because they are the first out of their parents to do this, it's unknown and it's scary," she said. "We are hoping to bring them to a certain comfort level and get them more acclimated to college, to make it easier for them to continue on and reach their goals."
The retention of first-generation students, Madero said, will also aid in helping ASU reach the status of Hispanic-Serving Institution. ASU currently has a Hispanic population of 23.4 percent. A school must reach 25 percent in order to be eligible for federal funding as a HSI.
"We are 85 Hispanics short of it," Madero said.
Mentors
*Mentors for the fall were chosen and trained in the spring of 2008. Mentors received a $500 scholarship for their participation in the program.
*First-generation students (neither parent graduated from a 2- or 4-year institution of higher education)
*Attended ASU for a minimum of one long semester
*Enrolled full-time at Angelo State University
*Committed to ASU for the full duration of the program
Mentees
*First-generation students (neither parent graduated from a 2- or 4-year institution of higher education)
*First-semester freshman
*Enrolled full-time at Angelo State University
*Committed to ASU for the full duration of the program
For more information,
contact Flor Madero or Joe Muñoz in the president's office.
Flor Madero, coordinator of First-generation RAMS, said the number of first-generation students outnumbers the number of trained mentors and most mentors will work with more than one student. The students who applied for the program but could not receive a mentor because of the limited number available will be eligible for what Madero calls the first-generation student organization.
"We are trying to create (this organization)… to bring to a larger group what we are doing with the smaller group without the mentors," Madero said. "We don't want to leave them completely out. Even though they may not get a one-on-one with a mentor, we are still going to do the money management and all of the things (with the RAMS program)."
First-generation college students are students who would be the first in their families to complete higher education through two- and four- year postsecondary institutions. According to Madero, first-generation students tend to be minority students.
The mentors will discuss topics with their mentees about study skills, time management, conflict resolution, relationship building, financial aid opportunities, money management and ASU support services.
Sophomore Marissa Contreras, who is a mentor for the program said she is trying to get more involved with first-generation students like herself.
The mentors, who must be first-generation students as well, will assist mentees with life skills, such as, social, financial and academic experiences.
Junior mentor Isabel Carillo, who learned of the program from Joe Muñoz, Senior Executive Assistant to the President, said she hopes to be a strong role model for the mentees.
"Freshmen are getting into a new culture," Carillo said. "It's a big transition from high school. We are here to help them look at their syllabus and share our personal examples."
Madero said the only problem she can foresee is if mentors and mentees fail to work together.
"Sometimes, we have a mentor who really tries and a mentee who really tries, but they are not together," Madero said.
She said she hopes to eliminate this problem with several initiatives: by having the mentee sign a contract insisting he/she attend every meeting and requiring commitment to the mentor/mentee relationship work and offering scholarships.
"We are going to give them an opportunity to apply for scholarships," Madero said. "But part of the application is going to include an evaluation from their mentor or their mentee."
Madero said the mentor/mentee evaluation will be considered when a student applies for the scholarship.
"Our hope with this program is to increase the retention of this population, which is so large," Madero said. "Because they are the first out of their parents to do this, it's unknown and it's scary," she said. "We are hoping to bring them to a certain comfort level and get them more acclimated to college, to make it easier for them to continue on and reach their goals."
The retention of first-generation students, Madero said, will also aid in helping ASU reach the status of Hispanic-Serving Institution. ASU currently has a Hispanic population of 23.4 percent. A school must reach 25 percent in order to be eligible for federal funding as a HSI.
"We are 85 Hispanics short of it," Madero said.
Mentors
*Mentors for the fall were chosen and trained in the spring of 2008. Mentors received a $500 scholarship for their participation in the program.
*First-generation students (neither parent graduated from a 2- or 4-year institution of higher education)
*Attended ASU for a minimum of one long semester
*Enrolled full-time at Angelo State University
*Committed to ASU for the full duration of the program
Mentees
*First-generation students (neither parent graduated from a 2- or 4-year institution of higher education)
*First-semester freshman
*Enrolled full-time at Angelo State University
*Committed to ASU for the full duration of the program
For more information,
contact Flor Madero or Joe Muñoz in the president's office.
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