Intercultural Engagement & Leadership provides a Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) for incoming first year students. The PCPOP Leadership Institute centers on the successful transformation of underrepresented students of color and incoming first generation college students. PCPOP participants become immediately acquainted with Peer Mentors who have a proven record of success at the college. The primary focus of the pre-orientation workshops are to enhance the overall first year student experience by focusing on academic outcomes, cultural capital and a healthy college community. PCPOP Leadership Institute utilizes the Grinnell community to help students achieve strong learning outcomes and transition to the college cultural with intentional through graduation.

PCPOP provides a fun and innovative way to meet upper-class leaders and gain first hand knowledge regarding the intellectual, social and global college environment at Grinnell College.  The Peer Mentor program is specifically centered on helping incoming students develop higher level study skills and critical analysis competencies. PCPOP Leadership Institute is an leadership module to successful navigate living and thriving at Grinnell College. The college community and the Intercultural Resource Center staff are heavily invested in helping students thrive and develop a healthy sense of belonging at Grinnell College. The Peer Mentor program mission is to provide a full year of student support to help foster strong academic success and develop student leadership within the campus community. 

The PCPOP Leadership Institute is intentionally held three days prior to the New Student Orientation (NSO) activities. The three day pre-orientation program provides an excellent introduction to the upper-class Peer Mentors and the outstanding educational resources at Grinnell. PCPOP focuses on inclusive excellence by providing a variety of learning strategies to help each student successfully navigate the highly demanding course curriculum at Grinnell. The leadership program with provide students with critical strategies to improve time management skills, prioritization planning and help students balance extra curricular activities. Intercultural Engagement will focus on helping students maintain a strong wellness regime in order to engage in the academic life of the college. Intellectual excellence, diversity and equity are key to a great first year experience.

Intercultural Engagement & Leadership staff work intimately with the first year class and Peer Mentors from the PCPOP pre-orientation program through post graduate studies. College students are encouraged to utilize the Academic Resource Center (ARC), peer and faculty mentorship programs, academic advising and the coaching staff to strengthen academic performance throughout the year.

Please fill out the following information: Peer Connections Pre-Orientation Matching Form will help to select your peer mentor.  

 Peer Connection Pre-Orientation Program (PCPOP) dates are August 22-25, 2012.

Students should register "Early" for pre-orientation programs no later than Monday, July 23, 2012.

Day 1: Wednesday, August 22, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.      Pick up room key - Joe Rosenfield 3rd floor (Take pcard photo id - JRC 218)

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.      PCPOP Welcome Picnic - Bear Athletic Center (North campus) Dinner with Peer Mentors, faculty, staff & family members     
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.      PCPOP Kick Off w/Mentees & Parental Information Session (Bear Athletic Center) - Marlene Jacks

9:00pm-10:00pm            PCPOP stroll around the campus; North, East & South Campus

 Day 2: Thursday, August 23, 2012

8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.        Breakfast with Mentees - Marketplace dining
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.      PCPOP Leadership Workshops  

10:45am - 11:00am          President's Welcome to the PCPOP Leadership Institute

11:00am - 12:00pm          Keynote Presentation - Honorable Henry T. Wingate
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.    Lunch with Peer Mentors, Family members
1:00pm -  4:00 p.m.          Peer Mentor Workshops

4:00pm -5:00pm               Wellness Hour - ride a bike, take a walk, visit Darby gym, The Bear athletic facility

5:00pm-6:00pm                Tour downtown Grinnell and the Farmers market
6:00pm-6:45pm                Dinner Marketplace -dhall

9:00pm-10:30pm              Ice Cream Social - JRC 2nd fl. & MC Suites!

Day 3: Friday, August 24, 2012

8:00am-8:45am             Breakfast with Peer Mentors

9:00am-12:00pm             PCPOP Leadership Workshops

12:00pm-12:45pm           Marketplace dining

1:00pm-4:00pm               PCPOP Leadership Workshops

6:00pm-6:45pm               Dinner Marketplace

7:30pm-10:00pm             Social Mixer Barn dance - PCPOP, IPOP, GSP & Athletes!!!  

Saturday, August 25th

8:00am-8:45am              Breakfast - Marketplace

9:00am-10:00am          GSP, IPOP & PCPOP Dining Service Job workshop training - Dick Williams

2:00 p.m.                         New Student Orientation begins

GSP, IPOP, PCPOP and student athletes are eligible and will benefit by requesting a Peer Mentor for the year.

For additional questions please contact:

Marlene Spraggins Jacks - Intercultural Affairs Associate       

Intercultural Engagement & Leadership  JRC - 209T  jacks@grinnell.edu    (641) 269-3062