UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The FastStart program is looking to connect mentors with first-year Penn State students. FastStart is an Alumni Association triad-style mentoring program which matches first-year Penn State students from different backgrounds with two mentors — a Penn State alumnus and a current faculty or staff member at a participating campus. The goal is to help students flourish at Penn State and get ahead by answering questions, directing students to resources, offering support and wisdom, and providing informal networks for career development.
Students are matched with mentors based on compatibility and shared interests through a dedicated online engagement platform. Both mentees and mentors are provided resources and training videos. The average time commitment for mentors is one to two hours per month per student, but the impact a mentor can leave on a student goes above and beyond.
Mentor Kaitlin Quigley noted, “I am volunteering as a mentor because, as a first-generation college student myself, my mentor in undergrad made all the difference for me. I hope to be able to help students along their educational journey.” Student mentees have cited a wide variety of benefits from their FastStart experience to include advice on time management, career direction, and an invaluable introduction to abundant Penn State resources.
To become a FastStart mentor, please apply HERE. Questions can be directed to the Alumni Association’s FastStart program coordinator, Mara Ryan, at mmu100@psu.edu or 814-867-4649.
FastStart is just one of many Penn State Alumni Association programs supported by the Sustaining Pride Fund. To make a gift to support FastStart and other mission-critical work of your Alumni Association, visit raise.psu.edu/SustainingPride.