Nine OICF institutions attend Campus Diversity Symposium on June 14
Students, staff and faculty members from nine OICF colleges and universities gathered at Lewis & Clark College on June 14 to discuss current student mentoring programs, challenges to student retention, and share best practices with the goal of improving mentoring programs on all ten member campuses. This inaugural Campus Diversity/Retention Symposium was a workshop aimed at campuses that received grant funding for peer mentoring through ECMC Foundation last fall. Each OICF institution presented their current mentoring program and plans for future improvement.
Three afternoon breakout sessions discussed mentoring as a retention strategy, bridging the gap with underrepresented populations, and breaking down barriers to improve diversity within the campus community. These efforts are part of OICF’s campus diversity initiative aimed to reach out to underrepresented populations and help ensure they stay throughout their college experience.
In the fall of 2006, ECMC Foundation approved a grant for over $76,000 and the Foundation Independent Higher Education (FIHE) approved a matching grant of $41,000 to benefit underrepresented populations on nine OICF campuses by improving peer mentoring programs. The OICF Peer Mentoring program focuses on underrepresented student retention and leadership development.
Peer mentors serve as experienced advisors, confidantes, and friends. Mentors are trained to aid incoming students with a smooth transition to the college environment, as well as address critical issues of how the campus community ensures that these young people will continue to stay enrolled and earn degrees. Research suggests that peer mentoring can be an especially effective method to increase student retention.
For more information about our Campus Diversity initative, please visit that portion of our website by clicking here.
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