The bureaucracy ”“ and long lines ”“ often associated with higher education in terms of academic advising, student affairs and career services will be eliminated for 500 incoming first-time, full-time students at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry this fall.
The new Mercy Personalized Achievement Contract (PACT) program is designed to integrate the college experience, combining academics with mentors focused solely on student outcomes and career success.
“Essentially we are reaching out to students and assigning them a mentor to work with on pillars of engagement,” said Dr. William Martinov, Mercy College”™s executive dean of student services and leadership. “As the level of engagement increases, generally a student does better in retention and ultimately graduation.”
Martinov said students will appreciate having one “go-to” source for assistance on everything from enrollment and class scheduling to financial aid questions and internship guidance.Â
The mentors, who were hired specifically for the PACT program, are cross-trained in a variety of areas inclusive of academic and career advisement, student financial services, admissions, general student life and personal and professional development.
A pilot group of 50 spring semester students are working with four mentors; this fall, 500 students will be selected to participate.
Martinov said Mercy averages 750 to 1,000 incoming students per year; the 500 students will be selected for the PACT program based on GPA and completed courses of study. Each mentor will be assigned to 100 students.
“Most colleges begin working closely with students during junior or senior years; some start earlier with group activities aimed at career exploration,” said Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, president of Mercy College. “Through the PACT, the mentors and participating students are uniquely forging a lasting partnership from day one focused on exploring career options, developing a personalized plan to achieve academic and career success, and executing that plan to the student”™s best advantage.”