ACADEMIC INITIATIVES Someone Like Me by Emily Rudduck Special programs help at-risk students thrive when they meet people they can identify with on campus. Inspired by Rebecca Kitchell, University of New Haven 18 TALKING STICK Most students arriving on campus to begin their first year are bombarded with changes; this is their first time living away from home, and they are entering the world of adulthood, where they must manage their time and money and find a balance between academics and a social life. For students who lack prior support for academic success, these changes extend beyond the quintessential college experience. Statistically, first-generation students and those coming from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background have the odds stacked against them. However, with the help of programs designed to provide them with the resources and tools needed to take hold of their academic future, they can excel. We asked members what programs they provide to these students and how participating in them has allowed them to experience a stronger sense of success and of community. Early immersion in an academic program builds the foundation for a future of academic achievement. Connecting with students before they become overwhelmed on campus is part of the initiative at Aurora University in Illinois, where students are conditionally enrolled at the university through the Strategies Targeted for Academic Rewards (STAR) program, which is intended to aid atrisk students' transitions from high