UNOmaha understands how freshmen feel. That's why the First-Year Connection was established. Our aim is to give each student a connection to somebody who will welcome them, help them, answer their questions and make them feel like a part of the University. After developing the program two years ago, the vice chancellor's office extended an open invitation to all members of the campus to participate. More than 150 faculty, staff and administrators showed up to find out more about the program and volunteer their time.
Mentors come from all corners of campus.
When possible, students are paired with mentors in their area of academic interest. At the beginning of the fall semester, mentors introduce themselves to their assigned students. The type of year-long connection is determined by how much communication students would like to have with their mentors, Rogers says. Some students want to hear from their mentors often, and others just want to know there's somebody out there if they need them. The First-Year Connection was launched in 1999, with 660 students in the program.