Project Connect

Project Connect is a free program that equips students from diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to achieve success at Mount Mercy.

Sample Schedule

Packed with workshops, group activities, and opportunities to connect with your new classmates, Project Connect is built to help you achieve college success.

View a sample schedule

A head start on your college experience

Are you a first-generation college student, a student of color, or a student from a low-income household? Project Connect can empower you to achieve success at Mount Mercy.

This program provides academic preparation, personal growth, community engagement, and leadership development during a three-week, on-campus experience. You’ll get to move to campus before the rest of your classmates, earn credits toward graduation by successfully completing our three-week Psychology of Adjustment course, and build a strong community of support before the fall semester even begins.

Project Connect addresses many of the issues that students struggle with the most as they transition from high school to college. The support of Project Connect will continue during your entire first year of college and beyond.

Why Connect?

  • Three-week, summer, residential experience, including a class that will earn you college credit as well as participating in student success workshops, social activities, community-building events, and getting acclimated to the campus environment—all at no cost to you!
  • Free textbooks for your first year at Mount Mercy (after meeting all program milestones)
  • A strong support network during your transition between high school and college
  • Increased understanding of helpful on-campus resources
  • Personal growth and leadership development
  • Connections with peer and community mentors for advice and guidance
  • Intensive and individualized mentoring to ensure that you get the most out of your college experience
  • Monthly workshops, presentations, and panel discussions to assist in overcoming obstacles and connecting with campus resources
  • Ongoing access to the Project Connect textbook lending library 

Register today!

Questions?

Contact Jennifer McNabb,
Director of Student Success Programs

319-363-1323 x1396
jmcnabb@mtmercy.edu

Frequently asked questions

Any new first-year student who is considered low-income (Pell Grant eligible), a student of color, or a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian has completed a four-year college degree). Your FAFSA must be completed prior to July 1, and you also must be planning to live on campus during the fall and spring semester.

Project Connect is a free program for all those who are eligible. Participants will also receive their first-year textbooks for free, so you’ll even save some money!

Yes, an essential aspect of this program is that you live on campus and participate in all of the included activities and programming.

Because there are so many experiences that we’ll be sharing with you AND because you’ll also be taking a 3-credit hour college course during this time, working during the summer program is not realistic. Every day of the program, including weekends, is filled with scheduled activities.

While there is no absolute deadline, we encourage students to apply for the program before July 1. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are only a limited number of spots available.