Minority freshmen taking part in Northwestern University's Mentoring Program this academic year will be teamed up soon with alumni mentors. Minority freshmen taking part in Northwestern University's Mentoring Program this academic year will be teamed up soon with alumni mentors.
The alumni, most of whom are in the same field as the freshmen, will be paired with students in January and serve as advisers during the rest of the academic year.
A total of 71 African-American and 23 Hispanic students -- 55 percent and 39 percent of freshmen in those groups, respectively -- are taking part in the program. All incoming African-American and Hispanic freshmen were invited to participate.
The program began in the summer as faculty and staff mentors contacted the freshmen before they arrived on campus. The mentors met with the students during New Student Week to assist with their orientation to Northwestern. The freshmen are encouraged to meet with their on-campus and alumni mentors at least three times during their freshman year.
The students also will attend at least three Real Life workshops taught by faculty, staff and attend a celebration event in May. The Mentoring Program, now in its third year, was introduced by the Division of Student Affairs to foster a welcoming and supportive environment and to link students with successful alumni role models, according to Mary Desler, assistant vice president for student affairs.
Desler noted that while many institutions have various kinds of mentoring programs, Northwestern's may be the only one that matches students with both a campus contact and an off-campus alumni contact.
The program goals are to:
--provide new African-American and Hispanic students with an immediate support system as they make the transition from high school to college
-- provide students with opportunities and experiences that teach life skills and build self-esteem and competence
-- encourage students to engage in career development opportunities
-- increase communication between and among new African-American and Hispanic students and faculty and staff
-- create a community of scholars and practitioners among African-American and Hispanic alumni who are willing to support and guide undergraduate students at Northwestern
-- link students with successful alumni role models and teach them the nature and value of networking
(Source Contact: Mary Desler at 847-491-8430)
(Media Contact: Chuck Loebbaka at 847-491-4887)
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