Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University has been awarded a grant from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) to improve its peer mentorship program for international students. This funding is part of the Mentorship for Academic & Personalized Student Success (MAPSS) Initiative, aimed at enhancing student success through mentorship.

Karen Vignare, vice president of Digital Transformation for Student Success at APLU, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with six public universities to pilot new mentoring efforts. "Peer mentoring is a proven way to help students navigate the complexities and challenges of transitioning to, and progressing through, college," she stated.

The grant will support Stony Brook's International Peer Mentoring Program (IPM), which assists international students in adapting to college life in the United States. The proposal was developed by Michelle Schenke and Trista Lu from Stony Brook's International Student Success Office.

The IPM program connects new international students with experienced mentors who offer guidance and support. Despite its success before the COVID-19 pandemic, participation has declined. Schenke explained that evolving student needs and an internally developed system have contributed to this decline.

"Through this grant, we aim to work with APLU, Mentor Collective, and the Community of Practice to improve and reinvigorate the program," said Schenke. The integration of the Mentor Collective platform will enable better pairing based on interests and aspirations while facilitating regular engagement.

Stony Brook plans to expand mentorship opportunities beyond first-year undergraduates to include transfer students. The university will track academic success metrics such as GPA and retention rates as part of MAPSS.

Schenke emphasized the importance of collaboration with APLU in refining peer mentorship practices. "The data we have from past IPM participants shows that students who go through the program have better GPA outcomes throughout their first year," she noted.

This initiative aligns with Stony Brook's commitment to enhancing student success through data-informed decision-making. The university aims to address systemic barriers affecting international student engagement.

"For many of our new international students, their arrival at Stony Brook is their first time in the United States," Schenke concluded. "Having a trained peer who can guide them through their first year at Stony Brook sets them up for early academic success."