Near-Peer Mentoring

More Than Bootstraps employs the power of near-peer mentoring. We train college students to return to local high schools and work as Leaders.

Student Leaders are uniquely qualified to understand and motivate their younger peers.

First-generation college students have tremendous resources, including experience overcoming adversity and an ability to code-switch and thrive in different cultural environments.

More Than Bootstraps builds on the strengths and resources of these students. Participants will succeed not just through their individual efforts and grit but through their membership in and contribution to a peer community, engaged in a shared enterprise focused on success in getting to and succeeding in college.

Leaders develop workshops, lead college visits, assist with college applications, guide their younger peers with the financial aid process, and address questions and concerns about college-going. They also conduct workshops for teachers at their local high schools, helping those teachers understand the challenges they are now facing in college and how best to prepare students for these challenges.

Our Leaders are not only models and mentors; they also benefit from being part of a leadership community of collaborative, college-going peers during the first two years of college as they themselves are encountering the challenges of the transition to college. As first-generation college students, they face challenges and uncertainty; but as part of a community of Leaders, they are reminded that they are already on the path to success and uniquely prepared to guide their younger peers on that path. While mentoring their peers, our Leaders build their own confidence and strengthen their resilience.