Transitions can be difficult even when motivated by a positive vision like obtaining a college education. The first days on the university campus can be confusing and overwhelming, and questions or concerns about classes, financial aid, housing or where to find the bookstore may be hard to get answered. Campus Connections goal is to support students through this difficult process at the beginning of the year and continue to provide support all of the way through their college careers. Some of the ways the program will do this are:

• One on one peer mentorship
• Monthly meetings with all members of Campus Connections.
• Regular contact with faculty and other university staff.
• A menu of support services individually designed to meet students' needs

Students transitioning from foster care are at much greater risk of not entering college; approximately 7 to 13 percent of students from foster care homes attend college, and about 2 percent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree compared with 24 percent of the adult population at large (Casey Family Programs, www.casey.org).

Mentoring programs have been successful in supporting foster care students in remaining in college.  The benefits of mentoring may be that youth benefit from a single individual on campus who understands how their backgrounds can affect their academic success and social integration. Having someone to help them to take full advantage of resources on campus as well as appropriate community based support services is a function of Campus Connections.  Mentoring has a positive impact on several student outcomes for success, including student grades, critical thinking, self-confidence, and the visions that students create for their futures, including retention in college (Crisp, 2010).