Taylor STARs four-year experience

Through our comprehensive four-year transitional program, we empower students with transformative learning experiences designed to enrich their academic journey and foster a resilient growth mindset. We aim to provide students with:

A strong supportive community that provides encouragement, resources, and a place for collaboration
Facilitation of invaluable peer-to-peer engagement with others who may be going through a similar transformative process, to garner new perspectives

Framework

Built upon the foundational principles of Jack Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, our framework addresses challenges such as deficit mindset and imposter syndrome, head-on. We achieve this by:

Facilitating mentorship opportunities each year, forging strategic partnerships on and off campus for career exploration; and  
Empowering students to explore and refine their unique leadership styles.  
Providing tailored support to nurture academic excellence, ensuring holistic development throughout their transitional experience. 

The program develops students as leaders within and beyond, offering many valuable resources to students, including, but not limited to… 

A robust mentorship program, with transitional components year-to-year: 

First-Year: peer-to-peer mentorship 
Sophomore Year: Faculty/Staff mentorship 
Junior & Senior Year: Industry leader mentorship 
A multitude of social, academic, and professional development programs  
A strong, supportive and campus-wide community  

Many of these activities are informal and allow students to participate at their convenience. Students should expect to invest 2-3 hours per month in the program, helping to ensure a positive impact and responsiveness to their needs.  

Joining Taylor STARs  

Taylor STARs is an opt-out program. Students who receive a welcome notification from WashU Admissions will automatically participate in the program unless they opt out. If you are in your sophomore, junior, or senior year and would like to take part in the Taylor STARs Program, please email TFCSS to begin the enrollment process.  

First-year Taylor STARs

The Taylor Family Center partners with the Student Transitions & Engagement (STAE) during Bear Beginnings. A detailed schedule is provided by the STFP, including move-in day, organized by Residential Life.  

Summer outreach 

Students and their families receive communication via their WashU email address and in the mail during the summer, including:

Tips for a smooth transition to campus
Required forms that will need to be completed by the student; 
Any updates regarding the First-Year Orientation Program  
Peer Mentor introduction and outreach 

Mentorship

A key component of the First-year Taylor STARs experience is participating in the Taylor STARs Peer Mentorship program rooted in evidence-based best practices. incoming Taylor STARs are matched with upper-class Taylor STARs students who share a similar background and identify as either first-generation or from a limited-income household to:

Support the academic, rigorous, and social transition from high school to college
Offer engaging individual and group meetings
Aid in community development through academic, social and cultural programming

Taylor STARs Peer Mentors

Taylor STARs Peer Mentors are highly competent and trained in campus resources to help first-year Taylor STARs navigate the Washington University landscape and build community within the Taylor STARs program. Active engagement in our Peer Mentorship program has impacted our students’:

Self-efficacy
Sense of belonging
Level of involvement and engagement within our campus community.

I’ve really loved mentoring for the past two years. Being able to help my mentees grow is such a, frankly, ridiculously cool experience…just knowing my mentees have this backbone of support really puts me at ease.

Taylor STARs Mentor

I can really tell that my mentor really cared about me and my comfort in navigating the St. Louis community. The personal and friendly reminders always give me something to look forward to.

Taylor STARs Mentee

First-year participant expectations

During the academic year, First-years are expected to participate in a number of events, including: 

First-year retreat 
BearPrints course (mandatory) 
Peer mentor meetings (twice per month)
Academic programs/workshops 
Social and community outings  

Sophomore Soar Taylor STARs 

The Sophomore Soar program will unite students as a cohort for 1.5 hours twice a month,  to provide students with the opportunity to: 

Gain cultural capital on campus via prescriptive programming that provides strategic and crucial steps for academic success on campus; and 
Curate relationships with faculty and staff through our mentorship program, while creating their personal leadership plan and engaging in professional development opportunities.  

Seminar series 

The seminar will be led by staff and faculty who have a deep understanding of the important benchmarks of academic success during sophomore year. 

The Sophomore Soar program will unite students as a cohort for 1.5 hours twice a month. This seminar will be led by staff and faculty who have a deep understanding of the crucial benchmarks of academic success during sophomore year.

Academic excellence

In pursuing academic excellence, students will hone essential study skills, master time management techniques, and explore strategies for selecting a major through dedicated guidance and support offered by Sophomore Soar’s comprehensive seminars.

Financial literacy

Gaining financial literacy and acquiring essential financial skills is paramount for first-generation college students, empowering them to navigate the complexities of higher education expenses, make informed financial decisions, and build a solid foundation for long-term financial stability and success.

Global citizenship

For first-generation college students, the significance of studying abroad extends beyond academics, providing invaluable cultural immersion, global perspective, and personal growth opportunities that enrich their educational journey and broaden their horizons.

Professional development

Through industry visits, workshops facilitated by the CCE, and networking opportunities, the program aims to equip sophomores with the essential skills and connections necessary to build their professional networks as they consider opportunities after graduation (employment, grad school).

Leadership development plan

Actively engaging them in developing a personalized leadership plan, fostering their skills, and empowering them for future success.

Mentorship

Recognizing the pivotal role of mentoring in fostering academic and professional development, The Sophomore Soar program is committed to enhancing students’ experiences by pairing them with a dedicated faculty or staff member, ensuring personalized guidance and support throughout their journey. 

Professional development

The Sophomore Soar program is designed to empower students by providing a comprehensive approach to their academic and professional growth. Through industry visits, workshops facilitated by the Center for Career Engagement and networking opportunities, the program aims to equip sophomores with the essential skills and connections necessary to build their professional networks as they consider opportunities after graduation (employment, grad school). 

Leadership plan development

The Sophomore Soar program is dedicated to nurturing students’ leadership potential by actively engaging them in the development of a personalized leadership plan, fostering their skills and empowering them for future success. 

Sophomore participant expectations

Attend one seminar session once per month. 
Engage with your faculty/staff mentor at least once a month. 
Create a professional leadership plan. 

Junior and senior Taylor STARs programming 

Students will hone their life and professional skills to be holistically prepared for their successful post-graduation transition to their next career or academic steps.  

Beyond College Workshops

There will be approximately two workshops or events a month during the academic year to build skills, develop community, and provide exposure to new experiences. Beyond College opportunities include: 

Life Skill Workshops  
Academic Workshops for Study Abroad and Graduate School  
Financial Literacy Workshops 
Professional Skill Workshops 
Networking Events and Opportunities 
Off-Campus Community Events 

Taylor Professional Success Mentorship

The Taylor Professional Success (TPS) Mentorship Program fosters meaningful relationships between a student and industry leader that guide and empower students to confidently navigate the transition from an undergraduate student to the career path of their choosing. The program focuses on their development in the following areas: social capital, industry knowledge, recognition of varied career pathways, and professional competencies. Mentees will receive individualized guidance and career support. Students interested in participating will receive an invitation to apply to be matched with a mentor via email.  

Community connections with alumni

Active Junior and Senior Taylor STARs will have the opportunity to build their social capital with young professionals who are Taylor STARs alumni through Young Taylor STARs Professional events and our alumni group comprised of Taylor STARs alumni interested in connecting with current students. 

Junior and senior participant expectations

To get the most out of this experience, students will attend at least one professional development and one financial literacy event a year. 
For those participating as mentees in the Taylor Professional Success Program, there is a requirement to meet or call your mentor at least once a month for the duration of the program.