Transitioning into college can be fairly difficult for many students. Some students may find adapting to a new schedule, a new environment and new people to be overwhelming, and having someone to guide them through the shift is helpful. St. Edward’s University’s new program, Hilltop Mentors, does just this.

Coordinated by Student Life, Hilltop Mentors pairs new students with an experienced faculty or staff member on campus who acts as a support system and resource. Currently, 90 faculty and staff serve as mentors to over 120 new students.

“Research shows that students with a mentor have higher GPAs and continue in college longer than the general student population,” said Leslie Sans, assistant director of Student Life.

Sans also said the program is not only beneficial to students, but to the faculty and staff members who mentor as well.

“It’s an opportunity [for faculty and staff] to grow professionally and increase their connection with the campus community,” said Sans.

Russell Frohardt, Hilltop mentor and associate professor of Psychology, agreed that being a mentor is a valuable experience to him.

“It is great for me to get a sense of how someone see SEU outside of academics. It has been a lot of fun so far,” said Frohardt.

Participating in Hilltop Mentors is simple. St. Edward’s faculty and staff can apply to be a mentor, and any incoming student—including freshmen, transfers, international, New College or Graduate students—can apply to have a mentor. After being carefully matched up, the mentor and mentee are required to contact each other at least twice a month, be it through email, phone, in-person appointments or even Facebook.

Freshman Andi Schrock said she and her mentor do a good job of keeping in contact.

“We have met up a few time and are trying to plan some sort of fun outing,” said Schrock.

However, a Hilltop Mentor is not just someone to answer questions. Mentors are also invested in their mentees’ personal wellbeing. Freshman Phil Oates says his mentor, Steve Rodenborn, assistant professor of Religious Studies, has really tried to get to know him and cares about how he is adjusting.

“All in all, Dr. Rodenborn has been a very helpful factor in my transition to college life on a very whole basis,” said Oates.

Freshman Jenny Eakin agreed that having a mentor has been helpful.

“It’s been a pretty big transition, so having a close relationship with someone on campus has definitely helped me out,” said Eakin.

Eakin joined Hilltop Mentors because she thought it would be a great way to get involved on campus. She was matched with mentor Marisa Walden, assistant director of Student Life.

“She has helped with questions about organizations to get involved with, but she’s also just helped with different college life questions too,” said Eakin.

Oates, Schrock and Eakin all agree they feel more connected to St. Edward’s because of Hilltop Mentors and don’t think their transition would have been as smooth without the program.

“It’s a great program, and I think if it keeps up throughout the years, it is really going to help by being a deciding factor for future freshmen on whether or not they want to come to St. Edward’s,” said Schrock.

Sans says even though it is a one-year program, she anticipates the relationships made through the program will continue past the first few years.

“I hope in most cases the relationship will last the student’s entire time at St. Edward’s,” said Sans.

For more information, log on to the Hilltop Mentors Web site, http://www.stedwards.edu/stulife/leadership.htm. Applications to be a mentor or mentee are available online or by email, [email protected].