In an effort to bridge the opportunity gap and foster success among first-year college students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, Allegheny College’s Office of Inclusive Excellence has introduced an innovative program designed to provide academic support, mentorship, and real-world experience.
RISE, which stands for “Reach, Inspire, Support, Engage,” offers a comprehensive level of personal, professional, and academic support and resources, ensuring students not only survive but thrive during their four years on campus.
Launched in summer 2024, RISE students will have the opportunity to be paired with an alumni mentor, receive internship preparation and coaching through the Center for Career & Professional Development, attend the Students of Color Leadership Conference through Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA), and create individual development plans to discuss desired post-graduation outcomes.
“Pre-orientations matter because they help students, particularly historically underrepresented students, be able to feel like they can claim this space before everyone else gets here,” says Heather Moore Roberson, Dean of Inclusive Excellence. “RISE is going to give them people to lean on when things get challenging, and it’s going to help them to cultivate a sense of belonging on campus.”
The pre-orientation has proven to be a winning strategy for the students. “The most important part of early access was getting to know the campus better and getting to know the whole group altogether,” says Cozmo Gallegos ‘28.
The Chino, California native and business major stumbled upon the RISE program through an email he received from the College, and jumped on the opportunity to arrive at campus early, and also score a single dorm room.
“Coming to a new campus, I was very nervous, but the program has really reassured me that I can do it and make it through all four years here,” Gallegos says.
The program seeks to service students from underrepresented backgrounds, including those who are the first in their families to attend college, students of color, and individuals from low-income households. RISE recognizes the unique challenges these students may face, such as navigating academic expectations, overcoming financial hurdles, and finding a sense of belonging in a new environment.
RISE students attended a retreat in Buffalo, New York prior to the start of classes, with a focus on wellness, journaling and reflection. They were also invited to have lunch with President Ron Cole, where they discussed why they chose Allegheny, and also had the opportunity to hear President Cole’s story on how he was introduced to the College as a student in the late 1980s.
“We’ve gotten pretty close with each other,” says business & computer science major Kristian Smith ‘28. “We call ourselves the 13 strong, it’s kind of like a brotherhood, and having each other has made the adjustment from high school to college so much easier.”
At the heart of RISE is a focus on personal development. The program begins with a pre-college summer bridge experience, where incoming students are introduced to campus life, engage in team-building activities, and form connections with peers and mentors. This early engagement helps to foster a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for student retention and success.
“One of the ways the RISE Program has provided support to ensure students can meet the demands of college coursework was by allowing for students to participate in mock lectures prior to the start of the semester,” says Marquél Jeffries, Assistant Director of the IDEAS Center. “This allowed for our RISE students to get a feel for how college classes can be conducted and receive pointers on how to excel during the actual semester.”
Students who have participated in the program have expressed gratitude for the opportunities it has already provided. “When I got here I was scared because no one in my family had gone to college, I’m the first one,” says Mediateaur Lubambwa ‘28.
Lubambwa moved here from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa, and says he hopes RISE will help him build a strong network of contacts that can help support his career aspirations in the medical industry.
“Joining the RISE program is helping to build my confidence, so now I feel ready for school, and it also helped me make some friends, which is giving me the support that I need,” says Lubambwa.
Academically, RISE provides robust support to ensure that students can meet the demands of college coursework. This includes personalized academic advising, tutoring services, and study groups. The program also encourages students to engage in research projects, study abroad experiences, and other academic enrichment opportunities that can enhance their educational experience.
“Coming to college early allowed us to slowly but surely gear up to get ready for classes,” says Otis Thomas Jr. ‘28, who plans to major in business with a minor in industrial design. “We’ve had two mock classes with a professor, which helped me to prepare for when we start our actual classes to know what I need to do to be successful.”
RISE is more than just a program; it’s a movement toward equity in higher education. By providing continuous, comprehensive support throughout all four years of college, RISE is ensuring that students from underrepresented backgrounds are set up for success both academically and personally.
For more information about the RISE program or to learn how to get involved, contact Marquél Jeffries, Assistant Director of the IDEAS Center at mjeffries@allegheny.edu.
