Skip to content
peer leader team throws hands up in the air celebrating college campus workshop!

PeerForward in College

We Leverage Peer Power

to drive higher education success and train tomorrow’s community leaders.
Broward College students who received direct support from a Peer Leader showed a
71% higher rate of two-year graduation and 35% higher retention rate semester-to-semester compared to the general student population.
college graduate celebrates!

From applications to graduations

PeerForward has over a quarter century of experience in high schools sending low-income students on their way to higher education. Now, we can see students through! PeerForward in College is our latest innovation. Since 2019, we have brought our new college model to both two-year and four-year colleges. Our goal is to reduce drop-outs and increase student success. Peer Leaders connect first-year classmates to academic resources, foster campus engagement, and provide financial aid reminders – keys to persisting to a degree. And we are already seeing promising results.

Our 4-Step College Model

Like our proven High School Model, this method also relies on student Peer Leaders to influence fellow students toward earning degrees, reducing inequities in higher education attainment.

step 1 students smile on campus excited

Identify & Recruit Influential Students

For college partners, a PeerForward Coach supports 25 influential college students, employed (and paid!) by the college as advisors. These students are known as Peer Leaders. Peer Leaders are trained in advisement, leadership, and coaching.

step 2, students enjoy the workshop

Peer Leaders Mentor Classmates 1-on-1

Peer Leaders provide 1-on-1 coaching and mentoring for a caseload of 10 to 15 classmates predicted for non-completion. Through check-ins, interventions, and campaigns, Peer Leaders help their peers navigate and overcome the stressors of college life, reducing drop-outs.

step 3 peer forward team member leads workshop in strengths finders assessment

Peer Leaders Activate Key Campaigns

The Peer Leaders execute three campaigns campus-wide to address college persistence, increase engagement, and broaden access for students to financial aid.

step 4 students smile!

Track & Analyze Results

Teams set campaign goals, identify metrics, and track their school’s progress using real-time data. From this, we know the Peerforward model’s measurable impact.

Peer Leaders Make Moves,
Activating Key Research-Driven Campaigns:

Academic performance can be influenced by everything from registering early for classes to selecting the best fitting pathway. Our Peer Leaders will connect students to tutoring and academic resources, advising appointments, and more.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for need-based financial assistance, yet 2.2 million low-income students never file. Once in college, Pell-eligible college students who continue to file for aid have 122% higher odds of persisting than low-income students who fail to file.

Understanding the resources on campus is one thing; pursuing them is quite another. With a range of campus programs to address everything from academics to mental health, Peer Leaders help students to exercise their self-advocacy and build their sense of belonging on campus.

For each campus partner, PeerForward assigns a full-time staff specialist, or “coach,” to train and motivate Peer Leaders; ensure that all campus resources are identified, and that Peer Leaders are plugged in for real-time support. PeerForward also provides online training for career development and integrates with partner technology. 

Peer Leaders Make Moves,
Activating Key Research-Driven Campaigns:

Academic performance can be influenced by everything from registering early for classes to selecting the best fitting pathway. Our Peer Leaders will connect students to tutoring and academic resources, advising appointments, and more.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for need-based financial assistance, yet 2.2 million low-income students never file. Once in college, Pell-eligible college students who continue to file for aid have 122% higher odds of persisting than low-income students who fail to file.

Understanding the resources on campus is one thing; pursuing them is quite another. With a range of campus programs to address everything from academics to mental health, Peer Leaders help students to exercise their self-advocacy and build their sense of belonging on campus.

For each campus partner, PeerForward assigns a full-time staff specialist, or “coach,” to train and motivate Peer Leaders; ensure that all campus resources are identified, and that Peer Leaders are plugged in for real-time support. PeerForward also provides online training for career development and integrates with partner technology. 

PeerForward Voices & Stories

A Peer Got Me Here
group of peerforward team

More than a model,
Peer Power is a movement.

Discover the difference we’ve seen in real schools, and in real lives.
Discover Our Impact

Get Involved

Donate

Help us bring more resources to students in need.

Volunteer

Join our movement and make a direct impact on the lives of our youth.

Become a PeerForward School

Collaborate with us to foster a culture of postsecondary success at your high school or college.

Partner With Us

Connect with us to see how our mission aligns with yours.