The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University are nestled in central Minnesota, two institutions only seven miles from each other along Interstate 94. These schools have a unique partnership – St. Ben’s is a women’s college and St John’s, a men’s university – that allows students to take classes, work and socialize on both campuses.
They also boast another unique partnership: St. Ben’s and St. Johns, or CSB/SJU as students call it, have long been champions of first-generation and low-income students. College Possible’s Catalyze program is one among the many programs the institutions support.
“While the demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds of CSB and SJU students continue to evolve, the need and desire to support first-generation students remains an essential part of the fabric of our institutions,” says Tammy Moore, chief communications and marketing officer at CSB/SJU.
In fact, over the summer, The College of Saint Benedict Magazine dedicated an entire issue to its first-generation students. College Possible was featured among the institution’s core student support services.
“Featuring first-generation students and the programs and people who support them is one way to provide our readers with a glimpse of the characteristics and needs of our evolving student body and also highlights our institutional commitment to inclusive excellence,” says Moore.
CSB/SJU sees near-peer coaching as an effective way to meet those needs.
“CSB/SJU has excellent resources available to support student success,” says Moore. “Many of these, however, require that the student identify and take steps to access the resource. College Possible coaches take the lead in reaching out to students to help them connect first to the coaching resource and then to other appropriate services.
“The near-peer, AmeriCorps model for College Possible is a cost-effective strategy for this high level of outreach to ensure that low-income students are well-supported and can effectively navigate the college experience.”
Learn more about programs, such as College Possible, at CSB/SJU in The College of Saint Benedict Magazine.
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If you are interested in learning more about the Catalyze program model and how it can improve student outcomes on your campus, subscribe to our newsletter or contact Carrie Carroll, Senior Partnerships Manager at CCarroll@CollegePossible.org.
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