Lucy Romao Vandepol and Melissa Bosomworth, first-year experience co-ordinators at Durham College, are heading up the Staff-to-Student Mentoring program, a pilot project for the 2007-2008 academic year that aims to help students feel more at home during their first year at the college.
A new initiative to help students feel more at home during their first year at Durham College is underway, with the Student Life office inviting staff members to volunteer as mentors and also planning promotional opportunities to gain student interest.
A pilot project, the Staff-to-Student Mentoring program supports the college's mission - the student experience comes first at Durham College - by providing more support to students during their first year at Durham. This includes assisting students in developing critical skills, encouraging their participation in campus activities, helping them connect with campus services and assisting them in having a positive college experience.
"We've had a terrific response from staff," said Melissa Bosomworth, first-year experience co-ordinator for Durham College. "We are still in the process of recruiting students because this is the program's first year. Regardless of how many are interested, we expect the program to be a huge success."
The program will see staff and students paired up based on a number of criteria, including the staff member's area of specialization and the student's program; similarities between the staff member and student; personal interests; career goals; and gender preference. For example, if a student is studying Public Relations or Journalism, the student may be paired with a staff member from the Communications and Marketing department; or, if they are studying Business-Accounting, they may be paired with someone from the Accounting office. If desired, staff members can also mentor more than one student, provided enough students sign up for the program.
In the case of a student with a disability, the Student Life office will work with the mentor and student, and also consult with the Centre for Students with Disabilities, if necessary.
Bosomworth believes mentoring a student will be a positive experience for staff members, especially those whose jobs prevent them from coming in contact with students on a regular basis. She believes the mentor will learn from the student, just as the student will learn from the mentor.
The Student Life office will promote the Staff-to-Student Mentoring program to students during family orientation at the end of August and Orientation Week. For more information, contact Lucy Romao Vandepol, a new first-year experience co-ordinator, or visit www.durhamcollege.ca/studentlife.