IRC’s LEAD Program: Helping First Generation and Mosaic Scholars

Reported By: Sam Erickson

Photographed By: Yolanda Diaz

This year, the Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) has added to its Mosaic Scholar Program to include mentorship for first-generation students in addition to Mosaic Scholar students. The program, named the LEAD program, pairs first-generation first-year students with an upper class person as a mentor to provide more support during their first year of college.

IRC intern Roserina Chipen says the goal of the program “is to provide a space for first generation and Mosaic Scholar students to build community.” 

“This past semester, I have worked to try to implement both an entertainment aspect and an educational aspect at the two events we [had],” Chipen said.  

Those events included a Fall Fest, which featured food and games, a goal-making activity, and an opportunity to write a letter to their future selves. The people who went to the event (open to all mentors, mentees, and anyone they wanted to invite) were asked to write a letter to themselves that would be given back to them at graduation. 

The second event was a White Elephant gift exchange, which Chipen described as one of her favorite parts of the evening. The event also featured a “chill spot” for games and relaxation, and a discussion for advice on how to succeed during finals week.

One mentee spoke about the program's impact on her first year. “It's been a huge blessing to have someone take time out of their week and meet with me for an hour,” Jasmine Anaya said. 

Anaya spoke to the power of having someone with a similar background in her corner. “I went through a really hard time adjusting, and [my mentor] supported me every step of the way; she never made me feel isolated, and she always uplifted me.” 

Anaya and her mentor, Sarah Adams, are both psychology majors with similar backgrounds. “She could relate to me in the way I view the world, and how I react to certain situations,” said Anaya. 

The program will host two more events this semester, which have yet to be finalized. Still, Chipen says she hopes to “continue bringing entertainment and educational aspects to them.” She hopes the mix between the two will create a community that empowers first-generation students and Mosaic Scholars to accomplish their goals together.