Students Together Reaching for Individual Development in Education Program, also known as S.T.R.I.D.E, is a peer mentoring program designed to support first year ethnic minority students with their adjustment to Davidson College. A series of designed experiences offer academic, cultural, and social support as well as vital information to aid students in understanding and working effectively within the college community.  What makes S.T.R.I.D.E. a unique program is that it tackles the emotional and social issues that come with attending Davidson College as an ethnic minority while building relationships across difference and learning the ins and outs of Davidson College.    

The program has 5 components:

Peer Mentor Program 

Peer Mentors assist in the facilitation of the Pre-College Enrichment program as well as serve as a resource for first year students. Students meet their mentor for the first time at Pre-College Enrichment.  Peer Mentors are paired with their mentees using the registration information that the mentee includes about themself and the knowledge that the Program Advisors and the Peer Mentor Coordinators have of the mentors.  Learn more about this year's mentors by clicking on the Peer Mentor link to the left.

Pre-College Enrichment Program

Pre-College Enrichment has two functions; acclimate students to college life at Davidson and introduce coping strategies to better manage academic and social pressures.  In addition to these two functions, Pre-College Enrichment offers our mentees the opportunity to bond with their mentors and one another, thus arriving to campus with a somewhat solidified friend group and much more of a foundation for surviving their first year than those who choose not to attend. 

Mid-Year "Check-up"

A retreat for all first year ethnic minority students scheduled at the beginning of the spring semester to bring students together and evaluate their first semester. This also gives those not able to participate in the Pre-College Enrichment program an opportunity to make additional connections with their peers.

Monthly Enrichment Series

Every month, the mentors choose an event or group activity for all S.T.R.I.D.E. participants. These can be academic, community service, cultural and/or social.  Click on the link to the left to learn more about our past events and even see pictures!

End of the Year Celebration

A celebration of participants, their accomplishments as a first year student as well as their participation in the program. A classy event for all!