EDGE Program

Group of student mentors

The Millikin EDGE Program offers a unique opportunity for select first-year students to adjust to the academic demands of college.

2024 Dates: August 11-16

Students selected for EDGE complete an intensive course prior to the start of New Student Welcome Week orientation. In this course, experienced instructors introduce students to the realities of the college classroom through the formal study of an academic discipline. Through the EDGE class, students are exposed to the skills critical to collegiate success, including college-level reading and writing, critical thinking, classroom participation and time management. Students complete the EDGE course with the assistance of peer mentors who serve as guides for academic success throughout the student's first year.

Following the completion of the EDGE class, students benefit from intensive advising during their first year. Staff from the Student Success Center monitor the progress of EDGE students and work to address any obstacles that might get in the way of their academic success while at Millikin. Student Success Center staff also organize weekly study tables and follow up with EDGE students at critical times during the semester (midterm, course scheduling, etc.).

 

EDGE Mentors

In addition to dedicated faculty and professional staff, Millikin’s EDGE Program 
is supported by the work of its enthusiastic peer mentors. Mentors help students develop good study habits, learn time management and make connections on campus. Millikin’s current EDGE mentors were all students in the program before transitioning to their roles as mentors, and they are passionate about paying it forward to help students nurture their academic and personal success.

  • Ameena Harris

    Nickname: Meena

    Email: ameharris@millikin.edu

    Major: Political Science & Criminal Justice

    Involvement: Black Student Union, History & Political Science Club, & LASO

    Why did you want to be a mentor?: I was a part of the EDGE program as an incoming freshman at Millikin. Being able to have experienced my first week on campus surrounded by amazing mentors, and students who ended up becoming my closest friends, and having that assurance that college wouldn't be so nerve-wracking really helped make my freshman year great. Being given the opportunity to give this experience to another group of incoming freshmen is amazing to me. I wanted to become an EDGE mentor so I could provide the same experience to others. While also helping break the stigma and stereotypes around being in EDGE and showing students how vital and beneficial this program is! 

  • Ashleigh Johnson-Jones

    Email: ajohnsonjones@millikin.edu

    Major: Secondary English Education (Pre-Law Track)

    Involvement: Black Student Union, LASO

    Why did you want to be a mentor?: EDGE was a wonderful opportunity for me to become more acclimated with my campus, professors, and classmates. The program helped me to create a home away from home where I was surrounded by a community of students, staff, and mentors who all wanted me to thrive. I chose to be an EDGE mentor to create the same environment for another student.

  • Jallah Kollie

    Email: jkollie@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (314) 495-7376 

    Major: Computer Science 

    Involvement: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

    Why did you want to be a mentor?: Edge helped me get acclimated to campus and showed me what college life had to offer. Edge has created a strong support system that will always be there for when I may need it, so I want to be able to do the same for the upcoming students.

  • Emmanuel Nwatu

    Nickname: E-MAN

    Email: enwatu@millikin.edu

    Major: Criminal Justice Major

    Involvement: Track & Field Team, Black Student Union 

    Why did you want to be a mentor?: Becoming a mentor seemed like a wonderful opportunity to enhance not only my resume but also my interpersonal skills and ability to connect with others on a deeper level. I look forward to being a vital resource for our First-year students. 

  • Keishon Tinon

    Email: ktinon@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (618)631-2955

    Major: Sports & Recreational Management 

    Involvement: Football Team, Black Student Union, RAPM (Sophomore year), EDGE mentor, & Associate Colleges of Illinois Mentor

    Why did you want to be a mentor? I was a mentee during my freshman year of college, and I felt that the program prepared me to the best of its ability for how college is supposed to be. I believe that I have been able to gain enough knowledge to be able to pass on to future mentees. 

  • Reed Pierson

    Email: rpierson@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (217)520-5522

    Major:

    Involvement: Millikin Sapphires Dance Team, Alpha Chi Omega, PHC, Big Blue Ambassador

    Why did you want to be a mentor? I wanted to be a mentor because I wanted to meet some of the freshmen and help them with the transition process from high school to college. I felt that I had the ability to share my knowledge and resources with incoming to help make this transition a smooth process. 

  • Delaney Balmer

    Nickname: Laney 

    Email: dbalmer@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (708)289-7033

    Major: Mathematics 

    Involvement: Presidential Scholar, Honors Student, & Math Center Tutor

    Why did you want to be a mentor? I wanted to be an EDGE mentor to get to know new students coming to Millikin and to be a support system for those people and someone they can turn to.

  • Miamaya Parra

    Email: mparra@millikin.edu

    Major: Undecided

    Involvement: Black Student Union, Treasurer of LASO

    Why did you want to be a mentor? As someone who was a part of EDGE, I understand how beneficial being an EDGE student is. Being a part of EDGE helped me acclimate to the school and provided me with the opportunity to start my time at Millikin off on the right note. Being provided with the ability to connect with amazing mentors and meet some of my closest friends here at Millikin was something I could say I am truly grateful for. Becoming an EDGE mentor has allowed me to give back to the program that helped me succeed here at Millikin.

  • Kayla Green

    Nickname: KG

    Email: kaylagreen@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (708)495-4195

    Major(s): Criminal Justice, Sociology, & Philosophy

    Concentration: Pre-Law

    Involvement:  Current President of the Kappa Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Current EDGE mentor, Current President of the Social Action Club, former RAPM, former Millikin Track and Field Captain, and proud member of the Black Student Union. 

    Why did you want to be a mentor? I wanted to become an EDGE mentor because I want to help incoming freshmen navigate Millikin and equip them with the tools to be successful no matter what they decide to do.

  • Morwin Coney

    Nickname: MC or Mo

    Email: mconey@millikin.edu

    Major: Theatre Performance & Studies

    Involvement: Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre Honors Society), MUod Swings Podcast, Tour Guide for the Center for Theatre and Dance, Edge Mentor, Black Student Union, Avodah, Black and Brown Voices

    Why did you want to be a mentor? I enjoy helping incoming students get the experience that I lacked during my freshman year to achieve the success they can have during their time in college. Helping them build the foundation so that they can be the best they can be and do great things after college is the goal.

  • Chord Miller

    Email: chordmiller@millikin.edu 

    Phone Number: (217)330-2691

    Major: Exercise Science

    Involvement: Millikin Football Team, Alpha Tau Omega

    Why did you want to be a mentor? 

    Edge helped me meet new friends and get used to the college lifestyle. I gained valuable information during my time as a mentee and I want to be able to share that with upcoming students. I want to be able to create a safe space for them. 

  • Caleb Dowers

    Email: cdowers@millikin.edu

    Phone Number: (217)778-4414

    Major: Sociology

    Involvement: Cross Country, Wrestling, Social Action Committee, Alpha Tau Omega

    Why did you want to be a mentor? EDGE helped me integrate and grow into college and adult skills that have made me successful and happy here. I want to help facilitate that for others by serving as a comfortable source for our First-year students on campus. 

  • Special Advising Opportunities

    After completing the EDGE summer program, students benefit from intensive advising as they begin this exciting transition into college life. During your first year, EDGE mentors and Student Success Center staff will work with you to remove any obstacles standing between you and academic progress. Student Success Center staff also organize bi-weekly study tables and follow up with you at critical times throughout the course of the semester (class scheduling, midterms, exams).

    Selection for the EDGE Program is determined by the Office of Admission and the Student Success Center in consultation with other University personnel. For more information about the Millikin EDGE Program, please contact the Student Success Center at StudentSuccessCenter@millikin.edu.

    Benefits

    • Learn how to achieve academic and personal success
    • Connect with faculty before classes begin
    • Earn three college credits
    • Eliminate anxiety and barriers before classes start in the fall
    • Move into your residence hall early
    • Benefit from structured study time led by trained paraprofessional staff