Student Support Services for First-Generation freshmen

What NAU freshmen students can expect

We provide engaging opportunities for NAU students to build a sense of community. The time commitment for the semester is less than 20 hours for first-generation students. This includes group gatherings, meeting with a Peer Mentor, campus activities, and meeting with a professional staff member. Since you may be eligible to earn a first generation $500 grant, if you have unmet financial need, this is close to $25 per hour! Can you find another job that pays this well?

Are you wondering what it would be like if you became an SSS student at Northern Arizona University?

After you are accepted into the SSS program and arrive on the Flagstaff campus in August, you will meet with a staff member for a short “INTAKE” appointment in order to sign up for your Peer Mentor-led group gatherings and individual meetings. These appointments are offered during Welcome Week and the first two weeks of classes.

Meet your Peer Mentor and your small group cohort at our Kick-Off Orientation. Held in early September, all freshmen admitted to the program are required to attend our first big event. Experience team activities, a resource scavenger hunt, raffle prizes, and more!

As the semester winds to a close, we host an End of Semester or End of the Year Celebration to honor your accomplishments and students who are graduating from the program (yes, some students participate for all four years). Join us for food and celebration!

As an SSS student, a peer mentor will work with you throughout your first year at Northern Arizona University. Peer Mentors are upper-class undergraduate students who are familiar with the academic and social rigors of college life. They are knowledgeable about resources on campus and are skilled in navigating the campus climate.

Peer Mentors provide support in the areas of:

Transitioning to college
Class selection, career and academic opportunities
Personal guidance

You will meet with your Peer Mentor once every other week for 50 minutes.

SSS students benefit from peer-led workshops on a variety of topics:

Time management
Study skills
Paying for college
Budgeting
Getting involved on campus
Campus resources
Resume workshop

Your Peer Mentor will lead a group of students once every other week for an hour in workshop topics and social events. The group gatherings focus largely on self-development and group interaction. Getting together with the same small group creates a small community within the program.

You will meet at least twice with a professional staff member, who is well versed in the challenges that first-year SSS students face. You’ll get a chance to review grades, address any financial issues, and strategize on how to have a successful first year at NAU.

Join your small group cohort, or other SSS participants, for two activities each semester. These opportunities help you get connected to the university by cheering on the football team together or attending a campus speaker. Cultural events include attending plays, films, or going on local excursions. Connecting to Flagstaff and NAU enriches your college experience.

Other services

Besides all of the great parts of our program listed above, you will also have the opportunity to participate in additional services:

Academic tutoring through the Academic Success Centers
Access to a Learning Specialist for specialized study skills instruction
Professional counseling through NAU’s Counseling Services