Soil to Sky: Peer Mentor Pioneers Visit Sonoma State

This spring, Yuba College Peer Mentors were given the honor and privilege to attend the NODA, “Soil to Sky, transitions in Sonoma” Region II conference, hosted by Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. The conference offered peers the opportunity to take leadership to a whole new level through the ability to attend sessions that offered an overview of real solutions for real issues that affect college students at every college campus across California. Peers learned of their own value and purpose they serve in the orientation, transition and retention processes of college and how their involvement in these areas can further help secure growth and development, not only for their college, but for students as well. The peers learned tips and tricks on how to build a better brand; build a better connection with their peers and colleagues, and most importantly, how to help students build a better connection to their campus and colleagues by addressing diversity, adversity and student inclusion. Peers were also given the opportunity to volunteer in off-site recovery efforts for the badly damaged area that was left behind as a result of the 2017 bay area fires. From “Soil to Sky, orientation, transition, and retention begins as a seed in the soil , but the sky is the limit.” NODA Region II Conference website.

According to the NODA, Region II conference website, “Orientation, Transition and Retention programs comes from a passion for growth and development. Whether a grad student, undergrad student, or professional staff member, the relationship you create with students has a direct impact on their success and experience at your university. The support they feel has a direct reflection on their connection to campus programs and other students. Sharing what you’ve learned, hearing ideas, while also learning new skills from others for engagement from others is what we have come to rely on to make sure our students get what they need.”

For Jamie Johnson, a peer mentor with Yuba College, says that the biggest thing she was able to take away from the conference was that Yuba College needs more school spirit. ‘We need more campus and school activities for our students so that students like myself, can build a relationship with our campus and commemorative memories for our time spent here.” She also says that the Yuba College implementation of “Guided Pathways,” that helps promote and create more support for students to help bridge gaps for more successful college career turnouts for students is vital for college student success. “We want to see our peers and colleagues succeed,” she says, “and in order to create and see the success that we want, we really need more support for students in all facets of their college experience and career so that they can achieve greatness and get support in any area that they need.”

Kelly Boren, the Peer Mentor Supervisor and 22 year veteran of the counseling department says “The peers are the best thing I do here at the college.” Mr. Boren devotes time each semester to teaching Counselling 22, which is a class designed for those students who aspire to become peer mentors, or for students who want better knowledge about their campus, transfer requirements, how to read the school catalog and schedule of classes, and to acquire a basic knowledge of all important functions, opportunities and resources offered to students at the college. Upon completion of the class, students who receive a “passing” grade can then apply to become a paid peer mentor through Mr. Boren and the counselling department. When asked about the best part about being a peer, Jordana Rymel says, “the most rewarding part about being a peer is the impact we have on the students. I run into people all the time who tell me how much I helped them and kept them motivated. I also appreciate the skills that I am becoming well-versed and thanks to this job as a peer. These skills will help me be successful in just about any job I choose to do.”

Next year, the Peer Mentors of Yuba College, hope to raise enough funds to reattend NODA Region II Conference, which will be hosted as a collaboration between San Jose University and UC Berkeley. As to what we can expect in the future from our Yuba College Peer Mentors, Dylan Nelson says, “we are actively trying to find ways to create a better campus environment for our students. Upon returning from NODA, myself and other peers have attended the Guided Pathway meetings, we have reached out to ASYC (Student Body) and their events committee to see what changes we can make for school events, campus life, etc. We have been brainstorming our own ideas for fundraising to secure our NODA conference attendance for 2019 and we are brainstorming ideas on how peers can improve the orientation process for incoming high school. It’s exciting to think about all of the changes that are coming in the future, but with that, comes a lot of work and it’s work that the peers are willing to do for our students, because we really want to make a difference for our students. We want them to be and feel supported while they attend Yuba College. We have a great campus here and it’s our time to shine.”