For more 160 years, Fisk University has opened doors of opportunity for students determined to pursue education, leadership, and impact. As a historically Black college and university, Fisk continues a legacy of expanding access to higher education while cultivating environments where students can grow intellectually and personally.
Today, more than one-third of Fisk students self-identify as first-generation college students. These students bring resilience, determination, and ambition to campus as they pursue new opportunities for themselves and their families. While access to higher education matters, student success also depends on connection, community, and support. Recognizing this, Fisk launched Bulldog B.O.N.D.S., a peer mentoring initiative designed specifically to support first-year, first-generation students as they transition into college life.
What is Bulldog B.O.N.D.S.?
Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. reflects five pillars that guide the program:
- Belonging
- Outreach
- Networking
- Development
- Success
Through this initiative, Fisk pairs first-year, first-generation students with trained upper-class peer mentors who help them navigate their first year of college.
Mentors help mentees explore campus resources, build strong academic habits, and develop meaningful connections across the Fisk community. These peer relationships allow students to learn from someone who has recently navigated many of the same experiences.
Why Mentorship Matters
Mentorship plays an important role in helping first-generation students build confidence as they navigate new environments and expectations.
One first-year student who joined Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. explained their motivation for participating:
"I decided to become a mentee because I believe a mentor could give me advice on experiences I have not had yet, especially since I am new to the area and college life in general."
Experiences like this illustrate the value of peer mentorship. Mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective while helping new students feel more connected to their campus community.
Leveraging Technology Partnerships
Fisk developed Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. with a strong focus on intentional mentorship. To support this work, the university partnered with Mentor Collective, a national organization that helps colleges and universities design and sustain peer mentoring programs.
Through this partnership, Fisk recruits and trains mentors, matches mentors and mentees based on shared experiences and interests, and provides a platform that supports ongoing communication.
The platform also allows the program team to monitor engagement between mentors and mentees. Since launching the program in mid-October, Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. has matched 42 mentees with 12 peer mentors. Participants have already logged more than 115 mentoring conversations and over 500 peer-to-peer text messages, demonstrating the importance students place on having someone they can reach out to for guidance and support.
Expanding Support for Students
To support the growth of the program, we recently hired a part-time program coordinator to support the expansion of Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. and develop additional campus-based programming for students across campus.
This investment will help strengthen mentor support, increase student engagement, and create more opportunities for first-generation students to build community and access resources.
Strengthening a Culture of Belonging
Bulldog B.O.N.D.S. reflects Fisk University's ongoing commitment to supporting students holistically. While academic resources remain essential, relationships often shape how students experience campus life.
When students know someone is checking in, encouraging them, and helping them navigate challenges, the university becomes more than a place to attend classes. The university becomes a community and a source of support for students. Through Bulldog B.O.N.D.S., Fisk continues to build that community, ensuring that first-generation students not only arrive at Fisk, but also discover that they belong.
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