mentoring program
DESCRIPTION
Your first year of college is an exciting opportunity. But leaving home for the first time, establishing yourself as an independent adult, making new friends and learning your way around campus can be a bit scary. So how do you navigate your way through your first year at Cal U without feeling as if you are doing it alone?The University-Wide Mentoring Program at Cal U is a great place to start. This program helps you succeed by matching you with a peer mentor. Your mentor will contact you well in advance of the start of your first semester at Cal U. It helps to know that there is someone at Cal U who will help you through those first challenging days and beyond.TRANSCRIPT
CALU
120 NOSS HALL
The Cal UMentoring Program
A SERVICE OF THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
How do I begin to take such a giant step?Your first year of college is an exciting opportunity. But leaving home for the first time, establishing yourself as an independent adult, making new friends andlearning your way around campus can be a bit scary. Sohow do you navigate your way through your first year atCal U without feeling as if you are doing it alone?
The University-Wide Mentoring Program at Cal U is agreat place to start. This program helps you succeed bymatching you with a peer mentor. Your mentor willcontact you well in advance of the start of your firstsemester at Cal U. It helps to know that there issomeone at Cal U who will help you through those firstchallenging days and beyond.
“ It has been really rewarding getting the chance tohelp new students. You see them having the sameissues that you did when you were in their shoes, andit's great to be able to help them. Mentoring is agreat and rewarding experience to be a part of. Thementoring program has given me many opportunitiesto make a difference in many students' lives.
”
”
The mentoring program is very useful andbeneficial for a lot of things on and off campus.Anthony showed me the ropes, and he was avery good friend and mentor. He was alwayslooking out for me and my academic sucess.
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C A L U M E N T O R I N G P R O G R A M
CAL I FORN IA UN I VERS I T Y OF PENNSYLVAN IABUILDING CHARACTER. BUILDING CAREERS.
250 Un i ve rs i t y Avenue , Ca l i fo rn i a , PA 15419
A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
MNTR 20M 6.12
JUSTIN CARLO ’12MAJOR: Communication Studies
THURMAN HARKINSMAJOR: Criminal Justice
For more information on the mentoring program, contact:
Dr. Karen Posa AmrheinDirector, Me ntoring Program
Dori EichelbergerAssistant Director, Mentoring Program
Monika PankratzSecretary, Mentoring Program
What are the requirements, if any, for obtaining a peer mentor?Mentors are available to all first-semester students — both freshmenand transfer students. However, thenumber of mentors available in eachmajor is limited. Assignments aremade on a first come, first servedbasis within each department.
C A L U M E N T O R I N G P R O G R A M
Being a mentor was anenlightening experience
for me. Many of the goalsmy protégé set for hiseducation generated agreat deal of questions.
The protégé shareshis/her ambitions with a
mentor and we work together to make those goals
a possibility.
”
How will my peer mentor help me?Your first communication with your mentor most likely will bethrough e-mail. He or she will give you the “inside scoop” onlife at Cal U. Any university campus can be overwhelmingwhen you first arrive, and Cal U is no exception. Your peermentor will help you identify important places on campus,such as:
• Your classrooms, so you know exactly where you are going before the first day of classes and have one less thing to worry about.
• The best places to eat, both on and off campus.
• Important campus resources, such as the library, math lab, writing center, etc., so you can find themwith ease should you require their services.
Knowing someone who has a thorough knowledge of campusprior to your arrival gives you a distinct advantage and makesyour transition into university life a little easier.
What is a peer mentor ?Peer mentors are upper-class students who volunteer to serveas support and a resource for incoming freshmen. They canassist you with the adjustment to college by offering you guidance,encouragement and friendship. Typically, your peer mentor will be from your academic department and will be able to discuss information about requirements within your major.Additionally, he or she will know a great deal about outside-of-the-classroom activities, clubs and organizations,speakers and special events. Your mentor will send you e-mails,make periodic phone calls and visit with you throughout yourfirst year at Cal U.
find directionThe mentoring program is great! I'm glad CAL U has a program like this,because most colleges do not offer this type of support to incoming freshmen.Being a mentor can be challenging, but communication is the key to success inany activity. Overall, I believe I've done a good job.
”
“
My mentor, Alexandra,was excellent in helpingme make the transition to Cal U. She wasinstrumental in helpingme discover campus andmany other aspects of Cal U that I wouldn't havefound out about on my own.
“
”BRITTANY CHANDLERMAJOR: HISTORY
WALTER HARRISMAJOR: Political Science RODNEY EDWARDS, JR.
MAJOR: Psychology
“
Cal U freshmen with peer mentorsmove on to their 2ndyear of college ata rate more than
10%higher than freshmenwithout mentors!