University Park, Pa. — FastStart, a successful mentoring program, provides first year students from diverse backgrounds with yet another resource to help adjust to life at Penn State and plan career moves.

            The mentoring triad consists of a faculty/staff member, an alumnus, and a student, which often develops into long-term relationships between students and mentors. Participants take advantage of scheduled programs and activities and pursuits of their own.

The program, which began in 1996, has gained in popularity as 157 students have enrolled in the program this year – 50 more than last year. Upon analyzing data from the first two years of the program, Gina Giacomantonio, coordinator of student-alumni programs and staff mentor, discovered FastStart’s positive impact – 72 percent of minority students involved in the program at University Park graduated.

            Different facets contribute to the program’s success. Faculty mentors serve as a local resource, welcoming students to the local community, directing them to services and important University offices and being a friend. Alumni mentors generally are off-site and communicate with students with similar career goals to facilitate networking opportunities.

            Mike Blanco, senior diversity planning analyst, has been mentoring since FastStart’s inception. He said he hopes the program is a factor that helps students connect to Penn State. “The more a student feels connected, the better the chance is that they’ll graduate. The program helps that student make a stronger connection.”

For more information visit www.alumni.psu.edu/get_involved/mentor/faststart.

**aek**

Contact:  Allison Kessler, Department of Public Information, at (814) 865-7517 or e-mail aek143@psu.edu.