(Commerce)—It’s tough being a freshman. You don’t know anyone; you’re living away from home for the first time and you don’t have your parents around to nag you to get your homework done.
Each
fall, Mayo College Director William Thompson (far left) and his staff
host a back-to-school barbecue for new students.
Basically, you’re on your own.
That sense of isolation overwhelms many college freshmen, which is why Texas A&M University-Commerce began Mayo College six years ago as a way to ease the transition from high school to college.
Named after university founder William Mayo, Mayo College has been an overwhelming success for the university, with more than 1,000 freshmen participating in the program since 2000.
Mayo College serves as a home away from home for freshmen. Students live together in Berry Hall, study together and attend numerous activities together. They also serve as a support system and surrogate family for each other.
“We want them to know they’re not in this by themselves,” said William Thompson, director of Mayo College.
Thompson and his staff strive to provide freshmen everything they need academically and socially. Mayo offers a first-year seminar that focuses on skills college students need: how to take notes, manage their time and cope with stress.
In 2005, peer mentors began living in the dorms with the Mayo students. This allows students to have greater access to their mentors should they need it. The mentors meet with their freshman groups at least once a week.
Teamwork-building
exercises help freshmen bond.
Mayo students also get a healthy dose of fun from the numerous activities and field trips planned throughout the year. These events help cement the sense of belonging among the freshmen. “They bond together and really get a sense of community,” Thompson said. “They help each other and depend on each other.”
Students pay $25 upon enrollment to take part in everything from cookouts and tailgate parties to baseball games and trips to art museums. The university pays for the bulk of the activities and road trips, and Thompson said it is money well spent. “It’s an investment in our students,” he said. “The data show that if students have a successful first year, they will finish.”
Mayo students’ grade point averages are one-half to one point higher than other freshmen's, and the retention rates are 12 to 14 percent higher. The national average for retaining first year students is 67 percent; Mayo College averages 82 percent.
Mayo
students participate in the First Year Leadership Class.
Although the data are impressive, it’s the positive word of mouth
from former Mayo College students that has helped the college achieve success.
“A few months back I went to a president’s luncheon for Michael
Johnson, a visiting musician,” Thompson said. “He wanted to meet
some of our Mayo College students.
“Michael asked each of the students to tell him a little about themselves and why they liked Mayo. One girl stood up and began to cry as she recounted the story of her first week at A&M-Commerce.
“She said that she was crying during move-in and I had asked her what was wrong. She said, ‘I’ve made a mistake. I’m from New Orleans and I don’t know anyone here. I’m just going to go back home. I can’t do this.’”
But Thompson told her she could make it. “We’re going to have a cookout tonight, and before sunset you’ll know 25 people. Then you’ll go to Lion Camp and meet more people.
“Then Monday in your classes, I guarantee you’ll see some familiar faces. But if by the end of the week you still want to go home, I’ll help you pack.”
She stayed. This past summer she graduated from A&M-Commerce and took a teaching job at Mesquite ISD. “If it weren’t for Mayo College, she would have left before she even began,” Thompson said.
“Students are going to have a freshman experience with or without
you,” Thompson said. Why not make it a positive one?” 