Three key participants are involved in the mentor partnerships:
Protégé
Incoming OMA&D student (freshman or transfer) interested in meeting an experienced UW student mentor who can help them navigate their way through their first quarter.
Student Mentor
Continuing UW OMA&D student of sophomore, junior, or senior status who meets our qualifications and volunteer to help a new student (protégé) through their first quarter. As a caring and experienced UW student, they will introduce the new student to academic services, campus resources, college life, and be a support system as they transition to the UW.
Graduate Program Lead
The MPFS Program Leads will also serve as ambassadors of Mentor Power for Success by promoting the mission and goals of the program through continued logistical support, strong communication with full time staff and mentors-protégés, providing continuous program feedback as needed, and final assessment of the program after its conclusion.
Mentor Phases:
Phase I: Autumn Quarter
Peer Mentoring – The incoming new student (protégé) is paired with a continuing student mentor to help them transition successfully and succeed at the UW. Both mentor and protege will be under the guidance of one of four Program Leads.
Phase II: Winter Quarter
Professional Development – Student mentors and proteges are engaged with career exploration and opportunities to develop career connections with UW Alumni/Career Professionals through UWAA career events and programs.
Phase III: Spring Quarter
Future Mentoring – It is our goal and desire to have students, who have been protégés, volunteer in the future as student mentors, and for graduating student mentors to volunteer as career professionals. We also invite Career Professionals to renew their commitment for the following year’s program, and introduce other professionals to get involved.
Timeline:
Each year the Mentor Program begins to recruit returning EOP students with a strong academic standing as student mentors. Protégés (first-year freshmen and transfer students) are recruited throughout the summer during their Advising and Orientation Sessions.
We begin the process of matching protégés and mentors near the end of summer and send out match letters via email in Early September. Mentors who wish to be enrolled in GENST 350 will receive an additional email with an add code and syllabus for the class. If selected, mentors will attend a mandatory multi-day, two (2) hour training where they connect with other mentors and learn hands-on skills that can be passed on to their protégé(s).
The formal program starts in fall quarter with our annual Mentor Kickoff! This is an opportunity for mentors and protégés to meet. Throughout fall quarter we will be offering various workshops and activities for both mentors and protégés to connect and just have fun.
The Mentor Program formally closes at the end of fall quarter with a Mentor Program Closing Reception to congratulate our protégés in their successful transition to UW and to thank all our wonderful mentors!
