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About the Webinar
Most institutions recognize that mentorship is a powerful lever for student success, yet many struggle to move beyond programs that only reach a fraction of their population. The challenge for modern higher education is shifting from mentorship as a perk for some to a core component of the experience for all.
How do institutions make the strategic decision to universalize mentorship? And once that decision is made, how do they build a sustainable culture—complete with resourcing, visibility, and multi-phase support—that follows a student from orientation to graduation?
Join Jordan DiPentima (Florida Atlantic University) and Dr. Ron Darbeau (Penn State Altoona) for a deep dive into how their institutions have embedded mentorship across the student journey. From FAU’s data-proven persistence rates to Penn State Altoona’s faculty-led initiatives, discover how to move mentorship from the margins to the center of your retention strategy.
In this webinar, you'll learn:
- The Case for Universal Mentorship: Insights into the institutional decision-making process that prioritizes mentorship for 100% of the student body.
- Persistent Connection Models: How to design mentorship that doesn't just stop after freshman year, but evolves across multiple phases of the student journey.
- Building a Culture of Mentorship: Strategies for resourcing, internal buy-in, and making mentorship initiatives visible and strategic across campus.
- Measurable Impact: Real-world examples of how Florida Atlantic University and Penn State Altoona use mentored connections to drive measurable retention and student success.
Featured Institutional Stories
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Florida Atlantic University (FAU): Learn how FAU has created impact by embedding mentorship across all institutional touchpoints, resulting in higher persistence and a culture of belonging.
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Penn State Altoona: Explore how the Student Success Center and peer mentorship efforts are advancing equity by ensuring support is accessible to every student seeking growth.
Meet the Speakers
Jordan DiPentima, M.Ed. Executive Director, Mentoring Programs | Florida Atlantic University
Jordan DiPentima currently serves as Executive Director of Mentoring Programs at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida. Jordan is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree at FAU where she completed her Masters in Higher Education Leadership from FAU and her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida. She serves as Adjunct Faculty within the Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology in the College of Education, teaches within the Leadership Studies Minor, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Boca School for Autism.
Dr. Ron W. Darbeau Chancellor, Penn State Altoona & Associate Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses
Dr. Ron W. Darbeau is the Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of Penn State Altoona and the Associate Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses. A physical organic chemist by training and a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Darbeau has spent over 25 years in higher education leadership. Before joining Penn State, he held executive roles at Commonwealth University and the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith. Throughout his career, he has secured over $2 million in research and infrastructure grants and mentored more than 80 students, consistently championing initiatives that bridge the gap between academic rigor and student success. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University.