The background
The initiative began this fall on the heels of a $600,000 donation in August pledged over a three-year period from the Dillard Family Foundation, whose gifts have historically allowed MSU to elevate the student experience by providing funds for programs that would otherwise be precluded, said Jeff Stambaugh, dean of the Dillard College of Business Administration.
A major factor that contributes to students withdrawing from the university is their struggle making the transition to college along with maintaining academic and social engagement, Stambaugh said.
“They need somebody to encourage them. Not like a mom and a dad, but somebody standing alongside them, if you will, to help them make that transition,” he said.
The Dillard Success Initiative aims to help freshman and sophomores be more successful, enjoy their college experience and get them on to a better academic footing. Achieving these in conjunction should help with retention rates, Stambaugh said.
What to expect
The initiative is divided into two main components. The first is a supplemental instruction program for courses that students struggle with that offers guided tutoring sessions to aid students with homework, test reviews or explaining difficult concepts each week, he said.
The other component is a mentorship program that will pair first-semester students with more seasoned students to help introduce them to the university as well as ensuring they are involved in activities and forming relationships. This can help ease the transition to college and ensure students are a part of the MSU community, which has a direct impact on their success, Stambaugh said.
This is not only beneficial for the student mentees, but the mentors as well, said Jeanette Salazar, a 2023 MSU graduate who was recently selected as the initiative’s project coordinator.
“A lot of our mentors have said, “I’m not here for the pay; I’m here because I really want to help,’” Salazar said.
Mentors gain leadership and problem-solving skills; increase their knowledge of campus resources; and form strong relationships with mentees which sometimes even leads to friendships, Salazar said.
The impact
The program is important to Salazar as someone who nearly gave up on her college career goals, and she hopes to be there for students so they don't have to experience a similar struggle.
“I told the students when I was introducing [the program] to them, ‘My goal here is to have everything for you that I didn't have that I wish I did have,’” she said.
Many of the students at MSU are first-generation college students and lack role models or support structures at home, making programs like this all the more important, Stambaugh said.
“I think we are going to make great results, and I am very excited to be able to tell parents when they come on college recruiting daysabout this program because as a parent, what you want to know is that institution is all in for your child’s success,” he said.
