Mission Statement
Discover Your Dominion’s (DYD) mission is to enhance the educational experience and success rates of second-year male-identifying Pell-eligible students at Old Dominion University. Our program is designed to identify and dismantle barriers to graduation, while providing comprehensive support through financial literacy education, family engagement, and a strong sense of belonging within the ODU community.
Our Commitment
DYD has proudly received $1.3 million in funding from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and exemplifies our campus commitment to student success. Through personalized, individual, and holistic support, Student Engagement & Enrollment Services will adopt and embrace an integrated programming model to increase the social, cultural, and economic well-being of DYD participants.
- Financial Aid Counseling: Personalized financial aid counseling includes guidance on grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study options, understanding college costs and returns, exploring financing options, and help with necessary forms and requirements.
- Parent/Family Connection: Recognizing the unique support families provide, we are getting parents and supporters involved to enhance student success.
- Sense of Belonging: Using this shared experience to help second-year male Pell students to feel accepted, respected, and valued as a part of Monarch Nation.
- Mentoring/Success Coaching: Offering individual and group support to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.
An advisory board specific to the DYD program is being created. This advisory team will include representatives from across Monarch Nation, including Academic Affairs, Athletics, and Student Engagement & Enrollment Services. Advisory board members will be integral in the success of DYD and contribute directly toward monthly educational units to build a comprehensive curriculum.
If you are interested in serving on the DYD Advisory Board, please email discoveryourdominion@odu.edu.
We understand the pivotal role families play in the success of our students. To strengthen this crucial connection, we are integrating CampusESP for current families and supporters. CampusESP is a dynamic technological platform that enhances family engagement in the educational journey of our students.
CampusESP Key Features and Benefits
- Continuous Connection: Maintaining conversations with families. By providing access to a family portal, parents and supporters are kept in the loop, ensuring they are well-informed and ready to support their students.
- Communication & Information: Families receive relevant and timely information, from updates about campus life to critical academic deadlines, grades, and financial awards.
Discover Your Dominion will employ peer mentors. DYD peer mentors must be junior or senior male students who are interested in serving in leadership roles. Peer mentors are trained and matched with mentee groups, tasked with fostering resiliency, clarifying DYD expectations, and building connections. Peer mentors are responsible for monthly check-ins with their mentees and establishing individual connection schedules.
Peer mentors will be paid $15/hour and be expected to work approximately 20 hours per week. If you are interested in serving as a peer mentor, please email discoveryourdominion@odu.edu.
DYD is more than just an educational initiative — it is a pathway to social mobility. Through DYD, we are committed to transforming the lives of students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, by unlocking doors to higher socioeconomic tiers through education. DYD focuses on Pell-eligible male-identifying students, a group historically underrepresented in higher education. These students come from lower-income families and face unique challenges. Our program is designed to level the playing field, offering these students the tools and support they need to succeed academically and beyond.
An advisory board specific to the DYD program is being created. This advisory team will include representatives from across Monarch Nation, including Academic Affairs, Athletics, and Student Engagement & Enrollment Services. Advisory board members will be integral in the success of DYD and contribute directly toward monthly educational units to build a comprehensive curriculum.
If you are interested in serving on the DYD Advisory Board, please email discoveryourdominion@odu.edu.
We understand the pivotal role families play in the success of our students. To strengthen this crucial connection, we are integrating CampusESP for current families and supporters. CampusESP is a dynamic technological platform that enhances family engagement in the educational journey of our students.
CampusESP Key Features and Benefits
- Continuous Connection: Maintaining conversations with families. By providing access to a family portal, parents and supporters are kept in the loop, ensuring they are well-informed and ready to support their students.
- Communication & Information: Families receive relevant and timely information, from updates about campus life to critical academic deadlines, grades, and financial awards.
Discover Your Dominion will employ peer mentors. DYD peer mentors must be junior or senior male students who are interested in serving in leadership roles. Peer mentors are trained and matched with mentee groups, tasked with fostering resiliency, clarifying DYD expectations, and building connections. Peer mentors are responsible for monthly check-ins with their mentees and establishing individual connection schedules.
Peer mentors will be paid $15/hour and be expected to work approximately 20 hours per week. If you are interested in serving as a peer mentor, please email discoveryourdominion@odu.edu.
DYD is more than just an educational initiative — it is a pathway to social mobility. Through DYD, we are committed to transforming the lives of students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, by unlocking doors to higher socioeconomic tiers through education. DYD focuses on Pell-eligible male-identifying students, a group historically underrepresented in higher education. These students come from lower-income families and face unique challenges. Our program is designed to level the playing field, offering these students the tools and support they need to succeed academically and beyond.
Interest Form
Are you interested in participating in the Discover Your Dominion Program? Click to complete the form below and someone will contact you!