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June 24, 2002 Volume 26, Issue 39 |
The university is seeking volunteers to help freshmen make a smooth transition to college life and improve their chances of success.
By participating in the Division of Student Affairs' Freshman Mentoring Program, faculty and professional staff members can help MSU make progress in the area of student retention.
Thomas Bourgeois, assistant dean of students, said the program, conducted last year on a pilot basis with 500 randomly selected freshmen, showed a statistically significant impact on the grade-point average of the participating students. Organizers are hopeful this will translate to a better retention of students in the long term.
"We have countless success stories from our mentors and students," Bourgeois said. "This program already has changed lives for the better and I look forward to the continued success of and support for it."
He said student affairs wants to expand the program to all freshmen, but needs some 300 volunteers to mentor the next class.
Volunteers should expect to receive an e-mail with the specific dates, times and meeting places of August interest and training sessions some time after the mid-July sign-up deadline.
Any faculty or professional staff member seeking more information about the program, or wanting to serve as a mentor to new freshmen in the fall, should call the Dean of Students Office at 325-3611 before July 15.