What is SUSTAIN: Excellence? | What services and activities make up SUSTAIN: Excellence? | Why should I join?
Can I participate in SUSTAIN: Excellence? | How do I sign up? | Questions? |

sus • tain (sə-stān)

1. To keep in existence
2. provide for or give support to
3. To affirm the validity of
4. Supporting Unity & Success To Achieve In Numbers (Program by OSD-Intercultural Engagement)

What is SUSTAIN: Excellence

Developed by the Office of Student Development- Intercultural Engagement, SUSTAIN: Excellence (Supporting Unity & Success To Achieve In Numbers) is an umbrella program that promotes the social, intercultural, and leadership development of students in the following communities:

• Students of color (i.e. Black/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino/a, Native American/American Indian, Multiracial, etc.)
• Students from diverse religious backgrounds other than Catholicism
• Students/allies in the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning/Queer)
• First Generation college students (one or both parents do not have a bachelor's degree)

Through mentoring, educational workshops and other activities, SUSTAIN: Excellence goals are to:

• Support incoming students' successful transition during their first year at Marquette
• Strengthen social support networks with peers, faculty and alumni
• Develop skills as intercultural leaders
• Encourage involvement with campus and community resources
• Enhance campus pride and sense of belonging in the MU community
• Promote unity, inclusion and the pursuit of excellence as Marquette students

What services and activities make up SUSTAIN: Excellence?

• Mentoring: Mentoring is a major component of SUSTAIN: Excellence. Current undergraduate student Mentors (sophomores, juniors, seniors) are paired with first-year students, referred to as "Protégés" in the program. Mentors receive training throughout the year to serve as role models, resources and friends assisting with the success of their Protégés as they transition and become integrated in the Marquette community.

• SUSTAIN Success Workshops: Mentors and Protégés will participate in biweekly engaging workshops that will cover a range of important topics from diversity/social justice education, improving leadership skills, to strategies of building strong relationships with faculty/alumni.

• Discussion Circles: Discussion/support groups provide Mentors, Protégés and other students an opportunity to develop a stronger connection to campus, and discuss topics related to diversity and inclusion. Participants can select to participate in the following groups:

  • 1MU: For first-generation college students to connect and build a sense of community.
  • Sustain MEN (Male Empowerment Network): For men in the SUSTAIN: Excellence program to connect and build a sense of community.
  • Sustain DIVA (Diverse Individuals Valuing Another): For women in the SUSTAIN: Excellence program to connect and build a sense of community.

• SUSTAIN: Excellence Recognition Ceremony: End of the year ceremony recognizing the academic and leadership achievement of participants involved with SUSTAIN: Excellence.

Why should I join?

Research shows that college students who participate in programs like SUSTAIN: Excellence do better academically and socially, and benefit from personalized services that support their first year transition to college. Students become strongly connected to campus and get better acclimated when they have a structured approach to build meaningful connections with peers who have similar identities and experiences. Initiatives like SUSTAIN: Excellence also offer opportunities for enhanced personal and intercultural development necessary for other leadership and employment roles on campus. This program also supports success and achievement as participants pursue graduation.

Can I participate in SUSTAIN: Excellence?

Any Marquette student who identify as a member in one or more of the following communities is eligible to participate in the SUSTAIN: Excellence program:

• Students of color (i.e. Black/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino/a, Native American/American Indian, Multiracial, etc.)
• Students from diverse religious backgrounds other than Catholicism
• Students/allies in the LGBTQ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning/Queer)
• First generation college students

How do I sign up?

If you will be a first year student and interested in being a Protégé, please visit the Incoming Students/Protégés section for more information.

If you will be sophomore, junior or senior and interested in serving as a Mentor or helping with SUSTAIN: Excellence, please visit the Current Students/ Mentors section for more information.

Question?

If you have questions about the SUSTAIN: Excellence program, please contact Carla Cadet, Assistant Dean for Intercultural Engagement, at (414) 288-7205 or email carla.cadet@marquette.edu

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