In the community college sector, we often face a frustrating paradox: our most vulnerable students are the least likely to seek out traditional support services. Research suggests that upwards of 60% of students will never set foot in a campus office, not because they don’t need help, but because the "help-seeking hurdle" is simply too high for parents, full-time workers, and first-generation learners.
In our recent webinar, "How Mentorship Drives Community College Success," we sat down with leaders from Pima Community College and national higher education analyst Glenda Morgan to discuss how institutions can move beyond small-scale pilots to create a "translation infrastructure" that supports every student.
The Strategic Imperative: Why Scale is an Equity Issue
Many institutions default to "boutique" mentorship programs that serve 50 students exceptionally well while leaving thousands of others to navigate the system alone. Glenda Morgan, a nationally recognized student success leader, argues that scaling isn't just about efficiency—it's about equity.
"How come some people get help and some people don’t? Making something a universal service forces you to come to terms with sustainability. If it’s universal, there’s also far less stigma attached to it." — Glenda Morgan
By moving away from grant-funded cohorts toward institutionalized, large-scale models, colleges can ensure that mentorship isn't just "support by chance," but support by design.
The Pima Online Blueprint: Transitioning from Transactional to Relational
Pima Community College (PCC) serves a metro area of one million people. Today, 45% of PCC’s enrollment is online, with 30% of students—roughly 10,000 learners—exclusively remote. 
Michael Amick, Chief Online Learning Officer at Pima, noted that while the college had plenty of resources, students were craving something deeper: belonging.
Bridging the "Engagement Gap"
Traditional advising can sometimes feel transactional. Andre Bernal, Grant Program Manager at Pima, highlighted that students don’t just want information—they want reassurance.
Pima’s model introduces a peer-led mentorship layer that acts as a bridge. By utilizing a Lead Peer Mentor, the college creates a community where students feel empowered to disclose life challenges they might never share with an administrator.
Measuring ROI: Moving the Needle on Retention
When discussing Return on Investment (ROI) with college cabinets or boards, the conversation often centers on the bottom line. However, Pima’s data shows that the "soft" metrics of belonging lead directly to "hard" institutional outcomes.
The Results Speak for Themselves: While many online initiatives see stagnant data, Pima’s mentorship pilot in Fall 2025 yielded a 70%+ Persistence and Success Rates for participating mentors and mentees. This is a significant lift compared to the traditional 50% baseline for similar demographics.
As Michael Amick explained, this isn't just about data—it's about survival for the community. In a high-poverty city like Tucson, access to education must be paired with successful completion to provide a livable wage.
Making Mentorship a Permanent Pillar
What happens when the grant funding runs out? Pima faced this exact challenge in 2025 when federal funding was discontinued earlier than expected. Instead of letting the program wither, Pima’s leadership integrated mentorship into the core institutional budget. They achieved this by:
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Planning Early: Starting budget conversations months before funding ended.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Un-siloing departments to share the cost of student success.
- Proving the "Starfish" Concept: Demonstrating that while they are serving thousands, the impact is felt one student at a time.
The Human Side of Scale: A Mentor's Perspective
Ultimately, the success of mentorship comes down to the individual connection. Lead Peer Mentor, Edward Kessler, a Coast Guard veteran and Pima grad, reminded us that mentors provide an "ungraded equitable perspective." 
"We help bridge the gap toward academic independence by recognizing that while we all have 24 hours in a day, we aren't all in the same place." — Edward Kessler
Whether a student is managing 18 credits while working full-time or dealing with the loss of a family member, a mentor ensures they never have to navigate the system alone.
Ready to Scale Connection on Your Campus?
If you're looking to move beyond manual spreadsheets and build a sustainable, data-driven mentorship program, Mentor Collective is here to help. We provide the "administrative heavy lifting" so your team can focus on what matters: the students.
To watch the full recording, click below!