diverse students smiling in Mount St. Joseph University quad

Lions 1st Scholars Community

Mount St. Joseph University

 The Lions 1st Scholars Community provides a supportive and welcoming community for first-generation college students at Mount St. Joseph University.

About the Lions 1st Scholars Community

The Lions 1st Scholars Community is designed to support first-generation college students and assist them with their transition from high school into college life at the Mount. Academic success, university navigation, and enhanced sense of belonging are promoted through increased faculty/staff and peer interaction, as well as intentional programming efforts that include cultural enrichment experiences, social interactions, and community service involvement.   

Mission of the Community

The mission of the Lions 1st Scholars Community is to provide a supportive and welcoming community for first-generation college students at Mount St. Joseph University. The Lions 1st Scholars Community intentionally connects first-generation students to faculty, staff, peers, resources, information and experiences that promote academic success, a sense of belonging, and successful university navigation.

  Positive Program Outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Service
  • Involvement
  • Career Exploration
  • Academic Success and University Navigation.
  All Academic Majors and Interests are Welcome

The Lions 1st Scholars Community seeks students who are first-generation college students (i.e., neither parent nor guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree). All academic majors and interests are welcomed.

  • Freshman and sophomore year students will participate in the community.
  • Junior and senior year students will have the opportunity to serve as a community mentor.
  Form a Social Support Network

Through participation in the Lions 1st Scholars Community students will:

  • Identify and utilize campus resources that aid in the transition from high school into college life.
  • Form social support network with peers that assist students in their ability to cope with academic and social challenges.
  • Form a sense of belonging to the Mount through establishing support networks with peers, faculty, and staff.
  • Actively engage in self-awareness and increase ability to self-advocate with faculty and staff regarding academic needs

Lions 1st Scholars Community Requirements

  What is Required of me to Participate?
  • Join a student organization and become an active member
  • Participate in the Mount Up Bridge program
  • Participate in the mentoring program
  • Attend one community session a month
  • Participate in the Lions 1st community service activity
  • Participate in study tables
  • Attend bi-weekly meeting with mentor.
  Becoming a Mentor: What are the Requirements?
  • Assist mentee(s) with process of joining a student organization
  • Assist with implementation of the Mount Up bridge program
  • Assist mentee(s) by answering questions and providing advice for successful navigation of MSJ
  • Assist with implementation of service activity
  • Assist with community sessions
  • Have bi-weekly meetings with mentee.

Interested in Applying?

At the Mount, we want to support you in your college journey. To learn more about the Lions 1st Scholars Community program, contact Michelle Arnold, Assistant Director for Mission & Belonging at Michelle.Arnold@msj.edu