Penn State Behrend has created a campus that welcomes and embraces the needs of the first year and international students. The welcoming atmosphere is supported by the two major mentor programs offered on Behrends campus.

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One of these groups is FastStart FRIENDS Mentor Collective. FastStart FRIENDS Mentor Collective is run by the office of Equity and Diversity.  The group was started five years ago to help students find companions who could help guide international students through their transition from home to the United States and specifically the Erie area.

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Two years ago Walaa Ahmad, Assistant Director of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs, took over the group and has overseen the expansion of the program. It has grown to cover first-year minority students. After evaluating past dropout rates, the office of  Equity and Diversity noticed that minority students, specifically African American Males, had higher dropout rates.

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Due to these unpleasant results, they broadened their mentor program to also cover minority students. They already have several events planned for their mentors and mentees to participate in such as their kick off on August 23rd in McGarvey Commons at 7:30.Along with their Academic Planning 101 hosted by the ACPC on September 5, and their beach day on September 8.

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For more informationon FastStart FRIENDS Mentor Collective contact  Walaa Ahmad at wma109@psu.edu.