Katharine Gibbs School Philadelphia Mentorship Program Eases Transitions for Students and Improves Retention
Peer-to-Peer pairing is helping Gibbs School students reach their career goals.
Norristown, PA (PRWEB) January 31, 2006
A focus on creating and fostering a positive experience for students at Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia while they pursue their education has led to the success of the school’s new peer-to-peer Mentoring Program. The Mentoring Program is currently in its third term and is now available to all new enrollees at Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia. The program joins new students with currently enrolled students (http://www. gibbspa. com/testimonial. asp), providing non-academic friendship and support as they navigate their first year of studies. With the purpose of easing the first year transition, the Mentoring Program is the latest addition to the ongoing Gibbs School mission of helping students succeed in their chosen fields by enabling them to complete their specialized degree and diploma programs (http://www. gibbspa. com/programs/index. asp) and develop a career they love.
“We have found the Mentorship Program at Gibbs to be a great way for new students to feel more comfortable as they adjust to a new environment, and it also reinforces their excitement about school,” said Eric Hurrelbrinck, Dean of Student Services at Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia. “The first year of school presents a big life change for students just beginning their studies in a new environment. It’s nice to have somebody who has been through that experience recently to give them the support they need to get through that transition.” Hurrelbrinck said that often students feel more comfortable going to their mentor about issues that come up in that first year of school, than they do going to faculty or staff. In addition, Hurrelbrinck says, it can help make students feel like they instantly belong to the Gibbs family. “They get a friend as soon as they get here.” As part of the program, students plan outings, picnics and volunteer activities, and often new students will go on to mentor incoming students and share their own sense of belonging.
In schools across the nation, drop rates during the first term are high, and creating a peer relationship allows students to feel more at ease in a new environment, making it more likely they will continue their program of study and go on to a successful career.
For decades, Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia has focused on creating positive student experiences while providing academic excellence, and the Mentorship Program further enhances student support services already in place, such as the Learning Resource Center, where students can receive extra help from professors and upper classmates, and one-on-one advising from faculty and staff. All services are intended to enhance the student experience and help students achieve success in their studies and career planning, and ultimately in their careers.
About Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia
Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia is part of a 90-year history of educational excellence (http://www. gibbspa. com/history. asp), teaching students to set new goals for themselves – personally, academically, and professionally. An accredited educational institution, Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia offers students quality career-focused specialized associate degree and diploma programs in the fields of business, criminal justice, technology and design, with convenient class schedules, career placement assistance, industry-current technology and one-on-one instruction by industry professionals. Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia is located 20 minutes west of Center City Philadelphia near historic Valley Forge. Find out more about Katharine Gibbs School in Philadelphia specialized degree and diploma programs, financial aid available for those who qualify, career services, area highlights and student life at www. gibbspa. com. Katharine Gibbs School is an accredited member, ACICS.
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