HOME/College Persistence/CollegeJourney
Two women sit at a table working together on a laptop in a modern office setting, focusing on college persistence support as part of the CollegeJourney program

CollegeJourney

As Student Leadership Network alumni, you’re not alone in navigating the challenges and opportunities of college. CollegeJourney is our peer-to-peer program to support high school alumni enrolled or transferring to any college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Upper-level alumni serve as Peer Leaders, who, together with the College Persistence team, provide tailored support, outreach, and resources to help students adjust to campus and college life.

Contact Gabrielle Oliver to sign up

I was able to confide in my Peer Leader and have conversations that didn’t necessarily involve school. I wasn’t alone in adjusting to college and the changes in my life. The people you surround yourself with make a difference in the way you see yourself and help bring value to your life! — CollegeJourney participant

Program Services

CollegeJourney focuses on:

  • Finances and FAFSA Renewal with uAspire
  • Academic Support
  • Community Events
  • 1-on-1 Peer Leader Guidance
A group of sixteen young women pose together in a library or classroom space, standing and kneeling in front of a colorful digital display highlighting college persistence and graduation support.
CollegeSendoff for graduating seniors

Peer Leaders

Alumni who are current college students guide CUNY students via text, in-person, and virtual support. They support alumni at all CUNY schools.

  • Almasur – City College, City Tech, LaGuardia CC, Queensborough CC, York
  • Miskatul – Brooklyn, Guttman CC, Hunter, Kingsborough CC
  • TBD – Baruch, Bronx Community College (BCC), Hostos CC, Lehman
  • TBD – Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), College of Staten Island (CSI), John Jay, Medgar Evers, Queens
Four people are sitting on a patterned blue sofa against a plain white wall, looking at the camera and smiling.
Peer Leaders 2025-2026: Nicole, Miskatul, Almasur, Ryan

Community-Building Events

The College Persistence team and Peer Leaders host workshops and events each semester to offer resources to college students, timed with the academic calendar. Recent events include:

  • Study Habits and Sleep Hygiene (webinar)
  • Personal Finance 101 (in-person)
  • Travel Abroad Opportunities (webinar)

Recent Events

  • April 24, 2026 – Financial 101: Surviving and Thriving in College – an introduction to personal finance presented by Peer Leaders (virtual)
  • May 15, 2026 – CollegeJourney End of Year Celebration (in-person, NYC)
  • May 28, 2026 – CollegeSendoff for high school seniors (in-person, NYC)
  • TBD: August 2026 – Summer Welcome Lunch for incoming first-year college students (in-person, NYC)
Two people stand in front of a screen displaying a presentation titled Relax & Reset: Fall 2024 - De-stress Event, highlighting college persistence and graduation support, in a room with blue curtains and a circular ceiling light.
Workshop on techniques to manage stress led by Peer Leaders

97%

of CollegeJourney participants agreed that their Peer Leader helped them persist in college

  • Peer Leaders are like older siblings. We look out for others and ensure they have the tools to succeed.

    A young man with short, dark hair smiles at the camera
    Almasur
    Peer Leader and college student at CUNY