Data Note 4 in the Rural Learners Success Series
When one rural community college student joined a mentoring program, transferring to a four-year university was not part of their original plan. But with steady encouragement and support from mentors, that path began to feel possible. Reflecting back, the student said they might not have made it through community college, let alone transferring to a four-year university, without the support of their mentors.
For many rural community college students, pursuing a postsecondary education often means having to navigate an unfamiliar system, balancing work, academic, and familial responsibilities, and figuring out their next academic and career steps along the way. In our most recent data note from the Rural Learner Success project, we draw on students’ experiences to better understand how mentorship shapes their academic and career experiences and outcomes.
What students told us
When we asked students whether and how mentorship had influenced their academic and career experiences, we learned that:
- Mentorship helped students move forward during moments of uncertainty, especially when they were unsure about their academic direction. Encouragement from mentors helped students stay enrolled, clarify their roles, and feel more confident about their academic and career choices.
- Mentorship introduced students to new academic and career possibilities. Students shared that throughout their conversations with their mentors, they were able to explore career options they had not considered before. For some, these conversations expanded what was possible, while for others, they confirmed they were on the right path.
- Mentorship provided someone to turn to. For students, it was very important to have someone who listened, checked in, and helped them navigate the challenges they faced, which was critical, especially for first-generation college students.
What this means for rural-serving community colleges
Students’ reflections underscore the importance of mentorship being more than just providing information. It is about building relationships that help students navigate academic and career decisions, access resources, and feel supported as they navigate their college journey. At the same time, there were a few student recommendations that rural-serving community colleges should consider to further support their students: 1) more opportunities for one-on-one conversations with mentors, 2) increased visibility, access, and support for mentorship opportunities, and 3) more opportunities to connect with mentors who share or more strongly align with students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Interested in learning more?
We invite you to read the full Data Note to learn more about how students at rural-serving community colleges describe mentorship shaping their academic and career pathways.