Faculty Mentoring Program for Students with Disabilities ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

What is Mentoring? Mentoring is typically a one on one relationship between a mentor and mentee. The mentor’s primary goal is to guide and advise the mentee whenever possible, in relationship to the specific purpose of mentoring (ie: an academic mentor is someone who mentors someone else who wishes to develop skills and knowledge in the same academic area they specialize in).

Who can be a mentor? Anyone who is patient and understanding of a person and their unique needs Anyone who can dedicate at least a few hours a semester to meeting or communicating with their mentee to keep track of progress and current happenings

Benefits of Mentoring Programs For the mentor… For the mentee….. Opportunity to exercise leadership Chance to build connections within the mentee’s networks Ability to assist in developing the field of expertise Guidance, and advisement To have someone assist with managing goals and ambitions A sounding board to ensure the mentee is staying on track A role model to utilize as they grow into their own successful self.

What are we looking for? This program matches Rowan faculty with students with disabilities to assist them in transitioning to college; developing networks and ties within their selected program interests Faculty mentors assist students as they pursue their academic and career goals

How would faculty be matched with a student? Faculty mentors are matched with a student based on the student’s major and or the student’s disability Faculty mentors would receive additional information on working with students with disabilities to help ensure a successful mentoring experience

What resources are available to faculty? Training to develop skills as a mentor. Training to discuss and educate faculty on the details of disabilities Connections with the Academic Success Center to review and discuss any concerns that you and your mentee may have and to identify resources

Faculty’s Role As a Mentor To meet with students periodically to review current concerns and progress in reaching short and long term goals To help students become familiar with the department of their major To guide students through learning and navigating Rowan’s different policies and procedures To support students as they develop confidence and self advocacy skills required for their success at Rowan

Students’ Role as a Mentee To effectively and actively communicate ability to make appointment times To set goals and discuss these with their mentor To explore and pursue options reviewed and discussed during mentoring To be open and honest about barriers and concerns

Why Do Students Need Mentors? Students with disabilities have often times little experience learning to advocate for themselves. When these students transition into college some struggle in asking for assistance in areas such as advising, housing concerns, tutoring and course registration Mentors can establish a safe and friendly setting to review these options

Why Do Students Need Mentors? To assist them in setting and reaching the goals that they establish once they come to school. Setting and achieving goals is very difficult and having a support system familiar with what they are trying to do can go a long way

In conclusion… Mentoring is a positive way to make connections with incoming students Mentoring is a beneficial opportunity for students to establish a connection within their field of study Mentoring allows both students and faculty a new opportunity for connections, and understanding

Thank You For more information about the Faculty Mentoring Program for Students with Disabilities, please contact: woodruff@rowan.edu