How to Build Student-to-Student Networks

This toolkit provides practical guidance for designing and implementing peer-led, student-to-student college networking initiatives. It offers guidance on developing student ambassador programs and coordinating high school alumni engagement to connect current students with recent graduates navigating college.

By formalizing student knowledge-sharing structures, the toolkit helps schools extend college-going support beyond traditional advising models and strengthen student-led networks of information and mentorship.

Additionally, we encourage practitioners to support student-led initiatives whenever possible. Students often connect most authentically when they are leading conversations.

This toolkit includes the following (scroll down for links to files):

Timeline for My Transition to College – This timeline outlines actions that students can take throughout high school to support their college goals. It can be used to map out yearly planning to become college-ready, prepare college applications, and make the transition to college easier.

Building a College Ambassador Program – Students gain valuable insights about transitions to college when they hear first-hand from students who have done it themselves. This booklet outlines what to consider when creating a peer-to-peer student ambassador programs at your school. College ambassadors are college students (often alumni from your high school) who you bring together with your high school students to share information about college transitions from personal experience. College ambassadors can increase school counselors’ capacity to provide advising, tips and important information about college transitions and experiences.

Setting Up an Alumni Panelist Program – This tool gives steps for creating alumni panel sessions at your high school. High school students benefit from practical advice about transitions to college from current college students who’ve been in their shoes recently. This can serve as an activity in a college ambassador program as well.

Tips: Searching for College and Major Information – By request from students, this tool includes a video demo on how students can use AI to search for college information. Students can input their interests, experiences, academic achievements and plans to gain clarity in their college search.

YouTube Shorts Playlist on College Transition for Students by Students – This curated video playlist for high school juniors and seniors offers tips, tricks and more information about the college transition. The short videos feature college students on their journeys and insights about what college life can look like.

This is the first of three toolkits in IDRA’s Community-based College Access – Online Technical Assistance Toolkit.