The Office of Undergraduate Recruitment’s Buckeye Opportunities for Leadership & Development (BOLD) is a program that is intended to provide a network of support and leadership development for first-generation students in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition to providing access to curricular support and opportunities, university and community resources and mentorship, students will be given the opportunity to build a community through weekly roundtable discussions with students who are navigating campus through the lens of a shared experience.
Questions? Contact: Angelett Anderson, anderson.2777@osu.edu.
As a peer mentor you will not only help new students learn to navigate the university but will also offer them a safe space by offering support and a sense of belonging during their transition to college. Each peer mentor will be assigned no more than 2-3 mentees in order to give new students who are accepted into the program a more individualized experience. Peer mentors are responsible for preparing and facilitating weekly round table discussions with BOLD members, participating in peer mentor programming meetings and must remain flexible to other requests, including representing the Office of Undergraduate Recruitment (OUR) during recruitment events and coordinating community service projects.
Peer mentor responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Offering individualized attention to 2-3 BOLD mentees.
- Supporting BOLD mentees and creating a sense of belonging during their college transition by acquainting mentees to campus life, campus resources and familiarizing mentees with campus co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
- Attending all peer mentor programming meetings and actively participating in discussions and providing constructive feedback.
- Developing content and facilitating weekly round table discussions.
- Attending all BOLD meetings and events unless otherwise noted or excused.
- Maintaining an appropriate level of academic excellence.
BOLD Mentee
BOLD mentees are incoming first-generation, new first-year students. Once accepted into the program, new students (mentees) will be paired with continuing students (sophomores – seniors) as their peer mentors. The primary goal of this relationship is to foster a connection that supports a successful college transition and matriculation. The relationship will promote a sense of belonging and create a safe space for expressing concerns and receiving guidance related to the mentees' experience as a first-generation student.
Program benefits for the peer mentee include, but are not limited to:
- Providing a network of support and leadership development for first generation students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
- Serving as a safe space by offering a sense of belonging during the transition to college.
- Fostering a connection where mentees feel open and comfortable sharing questions and concerns related to their college experience.
- Providing awareness of and access to university and community resources and services.
- Building a community through roundtable discussions with other students who are navigating campus through the lens of a shared experience.
Being a first-generation student is an awesome accomplishment, and you should be proud of yourself for being the first in your family to attend college! With college comes many amazing experiences, opportunities to meet new people and the ability to spread your wings by engaging in programs and activities on campus. Whether you’re starting your first year of college or approaching your last, you’ll find the following resources helpful as you navigate the university and become familiar with helpful campus resources and services.
First-Generation Student Campus Resources Toolkit
Buckeyes First Program
Designed for first year, first-generation students, the Buckeyes First program blends challenging activities with exciting experiences to help you familiarize yourself with Ohio State and the Buckeye community as you get to know other first-generation students. Visit u.osu.edu/buckeyesfirst for more information.
Buckeyes First Student Organization
One of over 1400 student organizations at Ohio State, the group hosts a variety of events and meets regularly to discuss the academic and social transition to college for first-generation students. By joining, you'll develop a support network on campus and build relationships with nonprofit community organizations that combat education inequality.
Buckeye Opportunities for Leadership and Development (BOLD)
BOLD is a mentorship program designed to provide a network of support and leadership development for first-generation students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate students who are first-generation are selected to serve as mentors for new first year, first-generation students and to provide guidance and a safe space as they transition to college.
First-Gen Connections Cohort
Run out of the Multicultural Center, the First-Gen Connections Cohort is an open, supportive space for students who are first in their family to attend college. Weekly, this group comes together to build friendship connections, serve as a hub to connecting to campus resources, and is also an opportunity to encourage one another in thriving at Ohio State. For more information about this group, or other First-Gen initiatives, email Angie Wellman.
First Generation Envisioning Network (FGEN)
As part of the Office of Student Life, Buckeye Careers is a university-wide initiative designed to support students throughout their professional development, with a focus on connecting them with local, national and global organizations. Run out of Buckeye Careers, the First Generation Envisioning Network (FGEN) program is a SUMMER program for first-generation students to explore their personal and career-related goals. Students will participate in career development sessions, including strategic goal setting, mock interviews, resume reviews and financial wellness sessions. The program pays up to $150 at the completion of the 8-week program. This program is open to all first-generation undergraduate students on all Ohio State campuses.
First-Generation Signature Event: Empowerment Series
The Student Life Multicultural Center First-Gen Student Empowerment Series offers bi-monthly workshops designed to provide valuable information, be a caring resource and grow your social network. Our primary focus is to empower you in continuing to achieve your goals.
First-Generation Signature Event: Welcome Week
The Student Life Multicultural Center Welcome Week Events are an excellent opportunity to start your year successfully with your Buckeye Community! Each of these events aims to help you become more familiar with the resources that the MCC offers, learn about student organizations to get involved with, and highlight avenues for you to get connected to all that Ohio State has to offer. You belong here!
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Buckeye Careers
Buckeye Careers offers all students regardless of major or class rank holistic, personalized career coaching and exploration as well as access to career development resources and connections to relevant professional development opportunities.
Center for Career and Professional Success (Career Success)
Career Success supports undergraduate Arts and Sciences students with their professional development by identifying resume builders and helpful resources, connecting you to employers, career events and offering the option of meeting with a Career Coach.
The Office of Student Life offers a range of services to support student wellness. Counseling and Consultation Service provides counseling, workshops and resources to help students address a range of life concerns. The Wilce Student Health Center provides services related to student health. Recreational sports offers equipment and classes at a number of locations across campus.
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Disability Services
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Wellness Education and Resources
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Student Wellness Center
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