FastStart Altoona

First-year Students

The FastStart Altoona mentoring program connects new Penn State Altoona students from diverse backgrounds with an upper-level student mentor and a faculty or staff mentor.

The upper-level student mentor will be able to familiarize you with the campus and the Altoona area. The faculty or staff mentor will welcome you to the community and help you learn important information about Penn State Altoona. Many of our mentors come from diverse backgrounds and understand the challenges and triumphs you will experience. They are there to help you make the most of your Penn State Altoona experience.

There are no such things as stupid questions. Really. And believe it or not, there are people just waiting for you to ask them. That's what a mentor is... a coach, a neighbor, friend.

These are just a few of the benefits of FastStart Altoona:

• Learn how to survive and flourish in a new environment.
• Develop valuable University contacts.
• Learn about services designed to help you.
• Build ties with the local community.
• Begin your informal career networking.
• Get advice on majors, careers, internships, graduate school, and summer jobs.
• Meet new people and make new friends.

If you will be a first-year student attending Penn State Altoona in the fall of 2010 would like to become part of FastStart Altoona, please contact Yolanda Avent (yla1@psu.edu or 814-949-5053) for a Student Application.