Go-to-Raiders Help Students Acclimate to Mount Union
April 01, 2026By Fatima Magaña '22
ALLIANCE – Known for putting its students’ needs first, in 2023, Mount Union introduced Go-to-Raiders, a mentorship-like program dedicated to helping incoming students ease their transition to college. Go-to-Raiders are faculty and staff members of the campus community who dedicate the spring semester to preparing to work with first-year students throughout the summer, offering guidance to have an exceptional first year and long-term collegiate journey at Mount Union.
Marci Muckleroy
Your Go-to-Raider is your guide, your sounding board, and one of your biggest allies in helping you to ask the right questions, make confident choices, and turn Mount Union into your second home.
Marci Muckleroy, director of the center for student success, who works with students all year-round, knows how important it is for students to have someone by their side to help them navigate the college process, whether that involves building their first course schedule in college, polishing their resume for internship applications, or preparing for their first job interview. Therefore, she acknowledges that easing the transition from high school to college is equally essential for students to succeed in college, and most importantly, at Mount Union.
Doug Henry
Others, like Doug Henry, director of the mathematics center and current Go-to-Raider, know what it is like struggling in college, especially if the student is first-generation. Therefore, as a Go-to-Raider, he aims to provide the best guidance to incoming students and stay in touch with them throughout their time at Mount Union, letting them know he remains part of their support system.
“Relationships in college are critical to success in both the short-term and long-term; I was a first-generation student and by many standards had a below-average first year of college,” said Henry. “It’s important to me to share my experience because I want students to know I’m human and that I don’t want them to make similar choices to mine.”
Taylor Williams
While Go-to-Raiders only work with incoming students until the first day of the fall semester, the work they do and the relationships they build with these students are very fulfilling. Taylor Williams, manager of international admissions, agrees that forming relationships early on in their college journey is essential to students’ professional careers, so her favorite part of being a Go-to-Raider is simply being there for her mentees.
I really enjoy the look on a student’s face or their sigh of relief when I help them with a question or task that they were unsure about,” said Williams. “Knowing that I am helping make their transition from high school to college go a little smoother is rewarding.
Incoming students who have paid their deposits can expect to be assigned a Go-to-Raider upon the middle of the spring semester. Learn more about resources available to students on our website.