|
You are viewing
Volume 41, Issue 6
November 11, 2003
To return to the current issue please click
here.
|
 |
January 20, 2004
Aim of mentors: build connections
Women of Courage connects and supports students
on campus
Ai
Tezuka
Contrbuting Writer
The name “Women of Courage” might cause one to think the
program is for women, but one-on-one support provided by the Women of
Courage program is for any man or woman who faces obstacles and challenges
in his or her campus life.
The program is a student-led mentoring program developed by the MCC service
learning office in 1998, and it serves traditional and nontraditional
students who are new to the college or are returning to school after an
extended period of time.
Susan Taffer, program adviser, said mentoring is different from counseling.
The mentors in the Women of Courage program assist students by guiding
and by providing school
resources such as scholarship opportunities, admission procedures and
many other services.
One of the main purposes of the program, according to Taffer, is for students
to have meaningful experiences when they connect with others in order
to build a community.
Currently, 32 students, who work as peer mentors, help other students
make an easier transition into college to ensure their success in school.
All mentors have to have been in school for at least one year so they
are familiar with campus resources. Also, it is necessary for mentors
to have sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population, according
to Taffer.
Many mentees have been encouraged to stay in the program as mentors because
their time on the receiving end provides the best training for future
mentors.
Exceptions have been made for those who do not meet the qualifications
but have potential to be a mentor. The adviser will occasionally provide
a workshop for training.
Aeimee Diaz, a peer mentor, was one of those exceptions; she wanted to
become a mentor after being a mentee although she had been in school less
than one year.
She was a nontraditional student who needed assistance. It was frightening
to start college after being out of school for 10 years, Diaz said.
Following an encounter with Taffer, Diaz was encouraged to join Women
of Courage. While she was receiving help, she realized her potential to
become a mentor. So did Taffer.
Diaz said her role as a mentor is “making someone more consciously
aware.”
Reliability of peer mentors varies from case to case.
“If a match is good, the reliability is high,” Taffer said.
The program formatting is flexible, and ensures students will have two
to three mentors who are experts in different fields.
Jonelle Moore, a faculty member in the English department, said, “My
experience with the mentors of Women of Courage has been very positive.
I think their work has been exemplary.”
For additional information about Women of Courage, contact Taffer at (480)
461-7394.
Back to Top
| Previous Page | Home
|
|
|
