Ballow Mentors Others at Susquehanna University

2016 Jan 19

Melissa Ballow is helping first-year students adjust to college life and academics at Susquehanna University.

The mentoring program, organized by the Center for Intercultural and Community Engagement at Susquehanna, pairs new students with experienced current students who can help them to adjust and thrive in and out of the classroom. Susquehanna mentors provide a one-on-one relationship offering guidance in social issues, family transitions, and college challenges and communicating with others. Mentor service demands a high level of commitment, responsibility and attention to ensuring that Susquehanna students succeed. As part of mentoring a group of first-year students, Ballow's responsibilities include personally reaching out to each mentee at least once a week, which may include attending an athletic event, going to lunch together or even shopping for college essentials.

The mentoring program, which can be especially helpful for students who are new to central Pennsylvania or navigating an unfamiliar culture or who are the first in their families to go to college, is just one way Susquehanna supports student success. Peer educators in the Center for Academic Achievement, for example, help new students with their studies, and advisers in the Career Development Center match students with internships and job opportunities.