Building Community Through Service: Alli Finck’s Experience as an Experience First Mentor

Published: February 25, 2025

Author: Liz Dowell

For Greenville University sophomore Alli Finck, mentoring first-year students through GU’s Experience First program has been more than just a leadership role—it’s been an opportunity to help others navigate the transition into college life while giving back to the community.

A PASSION FOR TEACHING AND MENTORSHIP

As a future educator majoring in elementary education, Alli knew early on that she wanted to be involved in Experience First. She recalls her first-year experience and her student mentor's impact on her journey.

“I loved my mentor when I came here,” Alli said. “She was so kind and met up with me often. I wanted to be that same person for other students, making their transition to Greenville easier.”

Experience First is a program designed to help first-year students adjust to college through service-learning projects. Each group had about 24 students led by an instructor and a student mentor, who served as a peer guide and support system.

Caliyah Nelson, Alli Finck, and Treva Epps.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Under instructor Nate Brown, Alli played an active role in guiding students through their first semester. Beyond helping them understand academic expectations and life on campus, she also worked alongside them to complete a community service project.

The group organized a food drive to benefit the Bond County Food Pantry. The students designed posters with messages like “Give What You Can” and placed collection boxes around campus. They also took shifts outside local grocery stores, requesting canned food donations.

“By the end, we had collected 1,247 items,” All said, thrilled to see the students crush their goal.

CHALLENGES AND GROWTH

Alli noted that one of the biggest obstacles in Experience First was motivating students to engage with the class.

“Some students come in thinking, ‘Why do I need to learn how to write an email?’” she said. “But this class teaches skills they’ll need for their future—professional communication, goal setting, decision-making, and even study habits.”

Attendance can also be a challenge. Some students struggled with the early start since Experience First meets at 8:30 a.m. However, Alli made a point to encourage them, reminding them that she genuinely enjoyed seeing them in class and wanted them to succeed.

“I would tell them, ‘I love being here, and seeing you in the morning,’” she said. “I think having a peer mentor made a difference because they saw me as someone they could relate to.”

THE LASTING IMPACT OF EXPERIENCE FIRST

Beyond the food drive, the Experience First program fosters a culture of service at Greenville University. Other groups completed projects such as coat drives and recycling initiatives to help those in need.

“I love seeing my ‘little cherubs’ come together, build friendships, and serve the community,” Alli said. “It’s about more than just completing a project; it’s about making Greenville feel like home.”

Her time as a mentor has reinforced her passion for education and service, giving her hands-on experience that will shape her future career as a teacher.

“I got to dip my foot into teaching while making a difference in students’ lives,” she said. “That’s exactly what I hope to do for the rest of my life.”

Through her work in Experience First, Alli Finck has embodied Greenville University’s mission—empowering students for lives of character and service through a Christ-centered education. And for the students she’s mentored, her guidance and encouragement have made all the difference in their transition to college life.