Since 2006, Wayne State has been holding a peer mentoring program called iStart to welcome incoming freshmen to the school.
“Our primary goal is to engage students in a way that not only prepares them for a rigorous academic experience, but also helps them establish relationships with other students,” Michelle Bruner, Interim Director of the Academic Success Center, said.
The program lasts for three days starting Aug. 31 and ending Sept. 2. It begins with a Convocation and Festi-Fall and ends with a community service day.
Freshmen should look forward to community building among other freshmen, leadership from peer mentors, more-in-depth knowledge of campus and facilities and academic preparation.
Incoming freshmen received a copy of the novel "A Hope in the Unseen" by Ron Suskind. They were asked to read it over the summer because the second day of the program will be a lot of discussion questions.
“I believe that students who participate in Istart have a better regard for the campus,” Nancy Galster, Coordinator of Start Programs and Special Initiatives said. “They are more willing to learn and to focus their energies at the outset of their studies.”
This program has proven to have a great effect on students, like student assistant Rasika Chepuri, who is excited to resume involvement as a peer mentor.
“iStart was created the year I entered WSU and I remember how it truly gave me the tools I needed to adjust to college and made the transition much easier,” she said.
She became a peer mentor her sophomore year and has since continued.
“I jumped at the opportunity to become a peer mentor because I really wanted to give back and help hundreds of new freshmen adjust to WSU.”
The last day to apply to be a peer mentor for this year is June 19. Applications can be submitted online (click here).
Although the iStart program lasts for three days at the beginning of the school year, students who want to get involved with WSU and the community should not be discouraged. There are a lot of other things students can do to get involved.
“We have a lot of pretty exciting volunteer opportunities coming up this year,” said Victor Green, Director of Community Relations.
This past April, the community service team put on the Motor City Makeover.
“I’m encouraging all students to give me feedback as to what they want to see community service wise,” Green said. “I’m always open to new ideas.”
