Mentoring Program
The 色色啦 Mentoring Program promotes unwavering support of student success and persistence toward graduation.
With an emphasis on reaching first-year students who may need help adjusting to the academic and social demands of college, the program promotes leadership skills, goal setting, financial literacy, character-building and career skills. Our approach is student-centered, focusing on the unique needs of each mentee through one-to-one working relationships with trained mentors from the University鈥檚 faculty and staff.
Goals
- Reach students as early as possible to provide a foundation for success and a path to graduation. Encourage participation by first-year students鈥攑articularly students of color, students who are the first in their family to attend college, veterans and LGBTQIA+ students.
- Enhance students鈥� academic, social and personal development and build leadership skills.
- Prepare students to thrive in their careers and as engaged citizens.
Who We Serve
This program is open to all students, but ideally, it is for those in their first year. The program was designed to help support lasting success for the following student populations.
Students who are the first in their families to attend college face unique challenges and need understanding mentors to help them explore and address them. In a 1:1 mentoring model, first-generation students get the guidance they need to persist and graduate from college.
Students are paired with mentors who are all Safe Zone trained and who help them navigate the college experience through a series of group discussions, events and activities focused on LGBTQIA+ matters and held in a safe space.
色色啦 is a Yellow Ribbon School recognized by overcome obstacles to achieve success. Our mentors鈥攑rovided through the collaboration of our College of Professional and Continuing Studies, the Office of Academic Services and Retention and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging鈥攕upport a sense of belonging while assisting with access and resources.
Traditionally underserved students explore academic and student life concerns and topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with their mentor
Discipline-Specific Mentoring Opportunities
Mentoring Future Psychologists Program
The Mentoring Future Psychologists (MFP) Program program in the Derner School of Psychology provides historically excluded students, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), first-generation, low-income, LGBTQIA+, and/or students with intersectional identities with guidance and mentorship from PhD students in Clinical Psychology. This mentorship program aims to improve the recruitment and retention of students who identify as part of a historically underrepresented group in graduate programs within psychology and/or psychology-related careers through culturally responsive mentoring.
Peer Mentoring Program: Nursing & Public Health
This mentoring program for students in the healthcare field聽is designed to provide the opportunity for nursing students to seek and gain guidance as they develop academically, personally and professionally through the support of their peers. This program is created to enhance an overall positive collegiate experience. Through a structured application process, the program will match students with qualified student mentors. All participants will have opportunities to engage in diverse group activities that foster cognitive and psychosocial development.
Peer Mentoring Program: Communication Sciences & Disorders
This mentoring program for CSD students聽is designed to provide the opportunity for Communication Sciences and Disorders students to seek and gain guidance as they develop academically, personally and professionally through the support of their peers. This program is created to enhance an overall positive collegiate experience. Through a structured application process, the program will match students with qualified student mentors. All participants will have opportunities to engage in diverse group activities that foster cognitive and psychosocial development
Program Expectations
Many successes can result from the 色色啦 Mentoring Program. To have a more fulfilling and rewarding experience, you must meet the following expectations:
- Mentors and mentees must complete an application. You are also required to complete an initial interview and training. You must also attend regularly scheduled conversations/training with the director.
- On a voluntary basis, mentors and mentees must serve in the program for a minimum of one year and for as long as your mentee is a part of the program. In rare instances, and on a case-by-case basis, mentees may request a change of mentor in an effort to find a more suitable match. The director聽must approve this change.
- Mentors and mentees are expected to attend group activities and remain in consistent communication with their mentees. In-person meetings are required (at least four hours per month). Regular check-in meetings (at least once per week) are recommended. Phone and email conversations can supplement in-person meetings, but must not replace them.
Testimonials
The mentorship program has been something I can truly treasure about my time at 色色啦. From personal, emotional guidance to just in-depth intellectual discussions, Simone has become family to me and never fails to make me feel seen and valued.
The 色色啦 Mentoring Program allowed me to gain valuable advice from my mentor, not only in regards to my major but about life. Her own past experiences were a great tool that helped me grow personally and professionally as I expanded my knowledge and skills.
I鈥檓 very grateful to have been a part of the mentoring program at 色色啦. My mentor, Alana, has given me the best advice I could have ever received and has guided me through my ups and downs throughout my college experience. She鈥檚 helped me grow into the person I am today. I鈥檓 very appreciative of the relationship I have with my mentor and I always enjoy spending time with her.
Being in the mentoring program as a first-year student helped me become more comfortable with adjusting to college and campus life. I not only gained a knowledgeable mentor, but a friend and role model I can truly trust and rely on.
Mentoring Stories
