New Peer Advisors Leading Students (PALS) Outreach Program for College of Human Sciences Students

PALS outreach program hopes to positively impact retention efforts for second and third year College of Human Sciences students

Peer Advisors Leading Students (PALS) is a new outreach program for students who are currently enrolled in the College of Human Sciences (COHS).

The center is the result of a successful proposal submission to the Office of the Provost in May of 2015. The purpose of the program is to positively affect retention efforts for second and third year students in the COHS.

The proposal was written by Associate Dean Mitzi Lauderdale, Lead Advisor Andrew Vanderpool, and Academic Advisor Cindy Villegas. Director of Advising and Retention Ashlee Brown and Stephanie Knudsen lead the program.

Stephanie, a first-year student in the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program in the COHS, is the Graduate Advisor for PALS. Stephanie said her role in the center evolves on a day-to-day basis as the organization advances and they gain better information about how they can best affect retention rates.

"Generally, I act as an informed resource for students in the College of Human Sciences regarding matters related to accessing available campus resources, as well as offering a listening ear to struggling students."

Stephanie said it is important to note that while PALS are not counselors, their purpose is to serve as peer mentors to help students navigate academic challenges.

"I hope that this will allow our students to form meaningful, supportive relationships with their mentors as their mentors help to empower the students to take action regarding their academic and career goals, and connect them to the resources necessary to do so."

Each of the PALS are high achieving students that are motivated to create opportunities for learning in the COHS. There are currently five founding members, but the PALS hope to maintain a membership of 15 to 20 each year. The PALS are in the process of gaining status as a student organization in order to maintain active participation.

Stephanie said during the summer, the office of Advising and Retention has a role with each new student at Red Raider Orientation. In previous semesters, the office has hired peer advisors at an hourly rate to advise the new students. While the PALS will be a part of the organization during the academic year, they will also have the option to apply for an hourly position over the summer.

The center is located in the office of Advising and Retention in the College of Human Sciences. While the specifics of the success initiatives are still being established, the current PALS are working on the logistics to begin offering services in the spring.

Stephanie said she is excited for the development of the PALS program. "I believe our PALS will have a positive impact on enhancing the academic success in the College of Human Sciences."