Fall Semester Impact Report: 3rd & Goal Peer 2 Peer Sponsorship Program
Below is our impact report* for the fall semester 2023-2024 academic year for the 3rd & Goal Peer 2 Peer Sponsorship Program at The Ohio State University.
Seven Peer Sponsors served the entirety of the semester.
Peer Sponsors connected with their 66 assigned new Veteran students and eased their transitions in every area from orientation through academic success.
Peers served military-connected students with 509 phone calls, 167 in-person drop-ins, and 5 email inquiries in addition to the weekly emails that are sent to our new Veteran students.
Peers aided military students regarding 451 transition issues/GI Bill certifications, 40 residency concerns, 14 academic advising conversations, 1 career services inquiry, 3 mental and physical health referrals, 2 student organization and activity recommendations, 1 with a housing referral, 5 admissions inquiries, and 15 other transition requests.
Our Peers also assisted in numerous programs including an orientation briefing and social mixer for new military-connected students, a resource fair with on/off-campus partners, the first of two FAFSA Workshops, a family-friendly military community mixer, a family friendly space night at the Arne Slettebak Planetarium here on campus, and a military-community luncheon the day before finals which 43 people attended.
We strive for personal connections between our Peers and the new Veteran students they serve. A Peer Sponsor recounted: "Just the other day I had the opportunity of completely easing a young lady's mind as she transfers from Active Duty to college life. She did not understand how her benefits worked and expected to pay out of pocket to cover the out-of-state tuition fee and it warmed my heart to be able to be the one to put her mind at ease and help her understand that she is taken care of. These are the types of situations that us as peers live for; to help others." Another Peer Sponsor shared: "In my leadership class, I met a military-connected student who I encouraged to get involved and helped him utilize various resources available, such as the Veterans Lounge and different events that Military and Veterans Services offers." Lastly, a Peer Sponsor reported: "Throughout this most recent semester, I was able to connect with around 15 current or incoming students and give them numerous tips on how to use Free Application for Federal Student Aid and other programs to enhance their funding for going to school. My goal was to help them find additional financial benefits that work in conjunction with their Gl Bill, just as a Peer helped me when I started at OSU."
*Impact numbers provided by The Ohio State University.