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This expansion means that nearly 6,000 undergraduate students will now be assigned a PACT Mentor. PACT Mentors are cross trained in academic advising, career readiness, student life, financial aid issues and leadership development.
With more than 50 percent of Mercy’s undergraduate population categorized as a transfer student, the college listened to student requests for PACT for all and responded by expanding the successful PACT program to the transfer population.
In January 2010, the American Council of Education shared PACT with the White House as a select example of innovation in higher education. PACT was recognized at the ACE Change and Innovation Lab in Washington D.C. for its work with first generation and nontraditional student attainment in October 2014.
“Expanding PACT to transfer students means that a huge part of our population will now get the personalized attention of a mentor from day one to help them succeed and get to graduation day. Along with strengthening student support, we have also been adding faculty positions and filling open faculty spots. We are committed to student success on all levels,” said Mercy College President Tim Hall.
“This is exactly what transfer students need. When you transfer it’s easy to feel lost. I’m also a first generation college student and I always have a lot of questions so it will be great to go to one person to ask,” said student Raydhiri Hidalgo, who transferred to Mercy.
The college will be increasing the PACT mentors from 26 to nearly 50 professional mentors. The mentors will now be assigned by school, and place a greater emphasis on career exploration and preparation.
“This expansion is wonderful! Many of our transfer students are adults with jobs and families – so this will help our adult students transition back into college. This is responding to a need that has been here – students wanted this and we listened," said PACT mentor Dana Anstett-Castro, who will be focusing on transfer students.
The expansion was officially launched July 1.
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