UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 34, Page 5
June 6, 1996
New program; Mentors make a difference for family studies' students

     When freshmen arrive on campus, they often are confronted by an
overwhelming amount of information.
     During this busy and confusing time, it can be very reassuring to
hear from upperclassmen in their chosen majors that it is possible to
process all this information and survive that first hectic semester.
     To help new students prosper is the goal of the Department of
Individual and Family Studies' student mentoring program, which began
last fall semester.
     "The freshman year is a time of difficult transition," Marilou
Hyson, department chairperson, said. "The mentoring program can help
students through this period and help them to develop into successful
students and graduates."
     The program pairs mentors- recommended by members of the student
and faculty advisory boards within the department-with several new
students, or "mentees."
     Prospective mentors are sent a form during the summer, asking
them to participate and to attend the New Student Orientation, where
they meet their mentees.
     Mentors and mentees are matched according to their majors, which
include early childhood development and education; family and
community services; and human development and family processes.
     Undergraduate coordinator Julie Wilgen said mentees are able to
leave the orientation with the names and phone numbers of their
mentors.
     "It is a real plus for these students," Hyson said, "to have a
piece of paper with the name of a person who will give them a call
later."
     Besides being able to answer many of the new mentees' queries
concerning programs, clubs, selecting classes and professors or about
campus life in general, mentors also serve as role models.
     Additionally, the mentoring program helps mentors develop their
leadership potential, something that Hyson said is very important in
her department.
     "Individuals who are recommended to be mentors are motivated,
enthusiastic and academically successful," Hyson said. "They are the
type of graduates we want to produce."
     To monitor the program's progress, a survey was conducted to see
if mentees had made contact with their mentors and to give an overall
evaluation of their experiences.
     The results indicated that, while some students used the program
more than others, the vast majority had been in touch with their
mentors.
     "I think the effort put into organizing the program was well
worth it," Wilgen said. "I also think that students who took advantage
of the program felt that it was very helpful."
     "I'm excited about what we have done so far," Hyson said. "I'm
looking forward to developing the program further and supporting its
progress."
                                                         -Jerry Rhodes