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Article for Live Wire:

The Mentoring Program

By Vinnie Bruno and Steve Dauz

Through the First Year Experience Committee the Mentoring Program was established to help new students make the difficult transition to college life and connect students to college resources and services

The Mentoring Program, which was piloted during Spring 2001 semester, provided services to 270 mentees by 132 mentors. This past summer our peer mentors connected 'With 83 pre-freshman during the University Summer Immersion Program. A three-step campaign was developed to reach out to all new students entering LaGuardia this Fall semester. A direct mailing was coordinated through the Office of Academic Collaborative Programs and Services. With the assistance of the newly established Response Center (9th floor - C Building), headed by Judith Gazola and Joel Block, a telemarketing campaign was conducted to connect with potential mentees. Additionally, with the help of the Counseling Department, peer mentors acted as ambassadors of the Mentoring Program in the New Student Seminars. Through the efforts of our mentors, consisting of faculty, staff and student peers, we are able to provide services to approximately 800 new students this semester.

The following comments reflects the positive impact that the Mentoring Program has on our new students:

"Mentoring is a golden opportunity to meet and help students as they begin their journey at LaGuardia. The knowledge that you can make a difference is enormously satisfying. Each new student that I work with gives me a chance to grow and learn."

Matthew S. Joffe

"We find it very rewarding to help students find the resources that we were unaware of when we were freshmen. The best part of the mentoring experience is watching a student's progression from shy and unsure to an outspoken and empowered individual who is a vital part of the LaGuardia community. We feel great when we see the grateful smile of our mentees after we've given them needed information."

Peer Mentors

Jake, Michelle & Marcos

The Office of Academic Collaborative Programs and Services of the Division of Academic Affairs and the Student Life and Development Office of the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Development, together would like to thank all faculty, students and peer mentors for their support in launching the new Mentoring Program. Your continued efforts will undoubedly benefit all new students that will choose LaGuardia to continue their educational endeavors.

Coming soon look for the Mentoring Program WEB site and the MENTORGRAM.

The Mentoring Program still needs more mentors. Pass the word around to your colleagues.

If interested you may contact the Mentoring Program located in the Office of Academic Collaborative Programs and Services, Room M 412. You may call Vinnie Bruno (x 5395) or Steve Dauz (x 5408).

The Mentoring Program: Connecting to the Future

BY Steve Dauz, Director, and Vincent Bruno, Assistant Director, Office of Academic Collaborative Programs and Services

The First Year Experience Committee established the Mentoring Program during the spring 2001 semester to help new students make the difficult transition to college life and connect students to college resources and services.
During the past year, the program was able to provide services to approximately 1,200 new students. The students were matched up with 140 mentors consisting of peer, staff, faculty, administration, and alumni. A training program has been established for all mentors. Mentors are contacted by our office and receive training on an individualized basis. Peer mentors receive training by either taking a three?credit course on mentoring or participating in a four?session worksh9p.
We are currently in the process of collecting data to evaluate the program , S
effectiveness and the impact it has had on its participants. The following
comments reflect the positive effect the program has had on the mentor/mentee
relationship.

Cheryl C. Powell, Cooperative Education, Mentor

"I have been working with Davejohnson and have found this to be a very enriching opportunity. Most importantly, what I have learned is that a student, regardless of age, is eager to learn and willing to accept the challenge of college life. In my role as a mentor, I first contacted my mentees by either phone or e?mail. I try to meet with them personally to discuss any academic concerns or institutional issues. My goal is to help them connect to programs and services during their first semester at the college. I am delighted that I am able to assist our students and look forward to having more mentees in the future.'

closed, she told me to knock because sometimes she works with her door closed. I have kept the advise in the back of my head. As a consequence, I have been on the Dean's List for both semesters and I am looking forward to being on it for the rest of my college life.'

Dave Johnson, Mentee
I began attending LaGuardia in the spring 2001 semester. Being a foreign student, the American college culture was entirely new to me and I felt like a 'fish out of water.' My first meeting with my mentor, Ms. Powell, was cordial and it was one that I will not soon forget because looking back I know that the advise she gave me that day has been instrumental in my success during my first year of college. Ms. Powell advised that I should try my best to be punctual for class, hand in all of my assignments on time, and to make sure that I don't jeopardize my F I status. She further stated that if I had any problems I should come to see her. She explained that if she were unable to advise me she would try to put me onto someone who could. If her door was

The Mentoring Program's success was also clearly evident during a recent presentation, entitled "Making Connections: The Mentoring Program,' at the Student Development and Enrollment Management Conference held at Baruch College. We, and Dr. David Gechlik from Empire State received an enthusiastic response from those attending the discussion. A major result of the session was the establishment of a cross?campus mentoring network that will allow for the sharing of ideas, dissemination of information, and creating mentoring partnerships within the university.
As the program continues to grow and evolve, future initiatives will include: offering mentoring services to continuing students by alumni mentors who will focus on transfer and career goals, implementotion of a web page, and linking the program to the Leadership Institute.
Please come and join us as we embark on our second year. The program still needs more mentors. Pass the word around to your colleagues. If interested, you may call the Mentoring Program located in the Office of Academic Collaborative Programs and Services, room M41 2. You may call Mr. Bruno at ext. 5395 or Mr. Dauz at ext. 5408.