FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTSPioneers Scholars

Pioneer Scholars

Welcome to the Bellarmine Pioneers Scholars Program

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Serving First-Generation Students

At Bellarmine University, Pioneer Scholars are our first-generation students, those who will be the first generation of their family to graduate from a four-year, higher education institution. This program supports first-generation students in adjusting to the social and academic challenges of college life. 

Nearly 40% of Bellarmine freshmen each year are first-generation students. We celebrate the diversity and strengths that our first-generation students, faculty, and staff bring to our campus. Housed within the Student Success Center, the Pioneer Scholars program offers support services, enrichment programming, and leadership opportunities for all first-generation students throughout their time at Bellarmine University.  

In their first year, Pioneer Scholars have the option to participate in our Early Arrival Program to make connections on campus before other students arrive. Once the semester begins, they will attend Pioneers 101 (BU022) each week, where they will connect with their Pioneer Scholars Peer Mentor and engage in programming related to topics such as academic skills, community engagement, and career development. Additionally, throughout their time at Bellarmine, first-generation students will have ongoing access to the “I’m First” Community of staff and faculty who also identify as first-generation college students and so understand their experiences.  

Programming

Pioneer Scholars 101 

Pioneer Scholars 101 is a non-credit bearing course offered to all first-year, first-generation students at Bellarmine. Each Pioneer Scholar is assigned a first-gen peer mentor to help them with their transition to college and support them throughout their first year. The mentors help plan weekly one-hour sessions each Tuesday on a variety of topics including academic resources, community engagement, wellness, faculty and staff networking, and social engagement. This course (BU022) is automatically put onto first-year, first-generation students’ schedule, so there is no need to sign up!

Peer Mentors

Peer Mentors are first-generation students themselves and are eligible to serve during sophomore, junior, and senior years. Through leadership training, mentors work to create social, academic, and service-oriented events for freshman to feel more confident and comfortable in their Bellarmine experience.

"I’m First” Community 

The “I’m First” Community is a group of over 100 Bellarmine faculty and staff who were first-generation college students. These individuals have committed to supporting our current first-generation students through various activities and outreach, including calling campaigns, programming, and more. If you are a BU faculty or staff member, consider yourself to be a first-generation college student (neither parent graduating from a four-year college or university), and would like to be a part of the "I'm First" community, please complete this form. Community members are recognizable by the “I’m First” stickers found throughout the campus. 

Early Arrival Program

The Pioneer Scholars Early Arrival Program is designed to support our first-generation students in making connections on campus before Week of Welcome even starts! Participants will dive into what it means to be a first-generation college student at BU, connect with peer mentors, and learn about resources available to help them navigate life at Bellarmine.  If you are unable to attend the Pioneer Scholars Early Arrival Program but identify as first-generation, you will still be able to participate in all Pioneer Scholars programming once the academic year begins. 

Mission

Mission

The Pioneer Scholars program defines its mission as a navigation tool to first- generation student success. The mission of the program is to connect first- generation students to the University through peers, mentors, programs, and resources. These connections help build confidence to engage in university life. Active participation in the program will provide opportunities for students to build a knowledge base that will empower them to progress through Bellarmine. Pioneer Scholars will promote leadership skills to pave the way for first generation student success. 

First Generation Resources

 

Whether you are a first-generation student yourself, a family member, or a faculty or staff member wanting to know more about how to best support this group of students, check out these resources.  

A Walk in My Shoes: First Generation College Students (Documentary series)  

Center for First-Gen Student Success 

First- Gen Stories (blog) 

Fastweb: A Field Guide for First-Generation College students 

Support for First Generation College Students  

What to Know as a First-Generation College Student  

NACADA Clearinghouse: First-Generation Students Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join Pioneer Scholars?

 

To be a part of the Pioneer Scholars Program you don’t need to submit an application or be selected. You are automatically placed in Pioneer Scholars if you are a first-generation student. Follow the steps below to ensure you are a part of the program: 

  • Identify if you are a first-generation student—Bellarmine defines first generation as neither parent graduating from a four-year college or university. 
  • On your application to Bellarmine University self-select that you are a first-generation student. 
  • When you confirm that you are attending Bellarmine and fill out the advising form to enroll in classes self-select again that you are a first-generation student. 
  • If you complete the above steps you will automatically be placed in the Pioneer Scholars Program, BU 022 will be placed on your fall class schedule, and you will be paired with a sophomore, junior or senior Pioneer Peer Mentor! 

What are the benefits of being a Pioneer Scholar? 

  • Firsthand information from current Bellarmine students on registering for classes, how to study in college, how to get involved on campus, how to prepare for finals, stress relief techniques, and career exploration
  • Support, motivation, and encouragement to make the transition from high school to college successful.
  • Interaction with faculty and staff on campus.
  • Connecting with other first-generation students at Bellarmine. 
  • Guidance and advice from peer mentors that are available and willing to meet anytime throughout the year. 

What is the BU022 course? 

 

This course is a non-credit course also called Pioneer Scholars 101 for first-year, first-generation students. The course meets each week where students will connect with their Pioneer Scholars Peer Mentor and engage in programming related to topics such as academic skills, community engagement, and career development. You are automatically enrolled in this course when you self-select that you are a first-generation student on both your application to the university and on the advising form to enroll in classes.   


 

Connect and Contact

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Bellarmine Pioneer Scholars (@pioneerscholars) • Instagram photos and videos 

Sign up for Pioneer Scholars Family Communications, including our Newsletter and announcements here! 

 

Contact us at pioneerscholars@bellarmine.edu.   

 

Chelsea McKendree 
Director of Academic Enrichment 
cmckendree@bellarmine.edu 
502.272.7499 

Kim Kerns 
Assistant Dean of Academic Enrichment  
kkerns@bellarmine.edu  
502.272.8073 

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