Mentoring
program helps males achieve
Jamar Younger
Mesa Legend
When Christian Turner enrolled at MCC two years ago, he was unaware
of all of the resources the campus had to offer. Four semesters
later, he is helping new students become aware of these resources
through the Men’s Achievement Network.
MAN is a mentoring program created to help inexperienced male college
students adjust to the rigorous nature of college life and gain
access to various programs on campus.
Students can also receive information and assistance on scholarship
opportunities.
“The goal is to teach students that they have the ability
to not just go to class and use them as a steppingstone, but to
really excel,” said Turner.
Turner and student Demetrius Newton started MAN in the spring semester
of 2003. The program is modeled after Women of Courage, which is
another mentoring program that was started by students in 1998.
Like Women of Courage, MAN uses some of the same principles, such
as students assisting other students in developing academic skills,
working toward educational goals, personal growth and working together
on community service projects.
“(We) use experienced people to help inexperienced people,”
said Turner.
All of the mentors are very knowledgeable of the campus. They have
worked jobs on campus and they also know most of the teachers.
If male students desire to participate in MAN, they must first contact
Susan Taffer, who is the adviser for the program.
After talking to Taffer, students fill out a one-page information
form that helps them indicate what services they desire to know
more about.
Once they complete the form, the men are put in contact with a mentor.
The mentors are certified through a counselor training program and
are able help students with whatever individual needs they have.
Taffer emphasizes the importance of students having guidance and
support while they pursue their education.
“There are peaks and valleys in our educational process. It
helps to share those peaks with other people,” said Taffer.
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