Connect the Dots: First-Gen Mentorship Program
Program Goals
In an effort to support the University’s mission and the Suffolk 2025 Strategic Plan initiative to increase programming to support students from historically underrepresented groups, the Division of Student Success leads the Connect the Dots program, which focuses on pairing first-generation college students (mentees) with university staff or faculty (mentors).
Mentor-mentee relationships are designed to help mentees navigate university life by providing informal yet meaningful connections. Mentors become part of mentees’ support networks at Suffolk; while mentors are available to provide guidance and advice on academic and career planning, many pairs find that the most valuable aspect of their partnerships is getting to know one another through casual check-ins, contributing to a sense of community across the university.
Program Expectations
To facilitate these connections, the Connect the Dots team maintains a database of faculty and staff mentors; we invite first-gen students—at any stage of their journey at Suffolk—to request a match.
We assign pairs based on shared interests and mentees’ goals. We understand that mentorship can take many forms and that short-term connections can be just as impactful as long-term ones. Thus, it’s up to mentor-mentee pairs to determine the nature, modality, and frequency of interactions that will best serve the mentee’s needs. Mentors and mentees often decide to continue meeting beyond a single academic year and enjoy staying connected throughout the students’ time at Suffolk; however, we are equally happy to steward connections that last for only a year or a semester.
Program Events
In conjunction with the Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity, Connect the Dots hosts events at the beginning of the fall semester and during First-Gen Celebration Week (early in November). We also plan an additional social event each fall and spring to provide opportunities for mentors and mentees to build rapport; however, we invite all first-generation students, even those not in the program, to attend!