NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University continues its effort this fall to assist first-year students with similar backgrounds, interests, and perspectives through team-building activities and promoting informational resources.

Jump Start began in 2022 with a grant awarded to Northwest by the Missouri College & Career Attainment Network. The program aims to give marginalized students a chance to "jump start" their academic careers by moving in early and introducing them to resources that will assist them in transitioning into college.

Though the grant funding ended last spring, Northwest expanded the program and connected other departments that could assist students throughout their entire college careers. Jump Start started with only nine students during its first year and grew to 34 students this fall.

"The goal is to have the students that are in Jump Start now grow and develop into peer mentors as well as to help future incoming first-year students succeed," Latonya Davis, a Northwest coordinator of diversity and inclusion, said. "It’s meant to develop leaders on campus in lots of ways."

Jump Start students are paired with upperclassmen mentors who assist them with acclimating to college, finding community, and guiding them to necessary resources. Students also participate in skill workshops for their development as well as social community-building activities.

This fall, Jump Start students participated in team-building exercises at MOERA, bowling, a campus scavenger hunt, and a session with faculty and staff.

Once enrolled in the Jump Start program, the university tracks these students' progress throughout their time at Northwest. The program aims to increase retention, persistence, and success rates after college.

Jessica Giles, a junior elementary education major from Liberty, Missouri, joined Jump Start as a mentor to build community on campus. "I learned leadership. That helped with all kinds of things like time management and having people relying on you," Giles said.

Annette Guijarro, a junior early childhood education major from Kansas City, Missouri, appreciated how the program prepares students academically and socially for college. Building relationships with faculty members was also beneficial. "It was a good way to get to know campus and meet some people that are in the same boat as me," Guijarro said. "A lot of my friends are people I met through (Jump Start) and I have so many connections now even to people who aren’t in my same major or don’t have any classes together."

Rashelle Taylor, a freshman pre-nursing major from Blue Springs, Missouri, enjoyed moving in early and becoming familiar with the campus. "I didn’t think it would introduce me to so many people and so many different students. I have made some of my best friends here," Taylor said.

For more information about the Jump Start program, contact Davis at 660-562-1584 or Senior Coordinator of Diversity Dr. Jessie Peter at 660-562-1747.