Opportunity Programs

Helping you achieve your dreams: Opportunity Programs offers programs that help qualified students fund their university education, make the transition from high school to university, and develop skills that will enable them to succeed.

What we do.

Since its founding, Utica University has built a tradition of helping motivated students pursue a quality private college education regardless of their financial circumstances.

This tradition continues through the work of Utica's Office of Opportunity Programs, which offers programs that help qualified students:

Fund their university education
Make the transition from high school to university
Develop skills that will enable them to succeed

Opportunity Programs include:

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)

Both HEOP and CSTEP are funded by grants from the New York State Education Department.

More Resources:

Purpose of Mentor Program:

Opportunity for an HEOP or CSTEP freshmen student to connect to an HEOP or CSTEP upperclassman.
Show students “the ropes” of Utica
Help freshmen adjust to the academic, social and emotional demands of college

Requirements

The Peer Mentor Program will allow current upper class students the opportunity to work as mentors with freshmen students. Mentors will have the opportunity to develop strong leadership skills while working towards their personal, academic and career goals. Mentors chosen for the program will be asked to share their knowledge and experiences with new students. Students will be paired with mentors by major and/or region. Mentors will be paid for their time. To be considered for a position, students must complete an application with the Office of Opportunity Programs in Hubbard 109.

Role of Mentor

The Peer Mentor will act as a guide and role model to first year students by introducing them to college life and program expectations. Peer Mentors will accomplish this by helping new students make connections to the college, coaching them through the many demands for their time and by providing information on campus services. Peer Mentor responsibilities include meeting weekly with assigned student(s), attending all scheduled group meetings/outings, providing personal and academic support, and referring at risk students to the appropriate resources.

Peer Mentors will supply the Peer Mentor Program Coordinator with weekly time sheets signed by both the mentor and mentee (s). Mentors must also submit a written essay describing their experiences as a Peer Mentor.

Mentors will be paid an hourly rate for each mentee. Mentors will accrue their hours and be paid one lump sum at the end of each semester. The amount will be calculated from weekly timesheets submitted by the mentor and signed by both the mentor and mentee. This is not a work study position. Mentors have the opportunity to make up to $500.00 depending on their hours worked and the number of students mentored.

Role of Mentee

Freshmen students, or mentees, will work 1:1 or in small groups with their mentor. The mentee will be assigned a Peer Mentor to whom they must meet with once a week. The mentee's responsibilities include meeting weekly with assigned mentor and attend all scheduled group meetings/outings.

At the completion of each semester mentees must complete an evaluation of their Peer Mentor Program experience.

Note: If you would like to participate in the Peer Mentor program, contact Opportunity Programs.

Contact Us

Tracy Branch

Interim Director, Opportunity Programs

(315) 792-3209

tdbranch@utica.edu