Mentorship Experience Staff WAU Mentorship Experience Orientation How to“Pay It Forward” and Benefit

To create an on-going atmosphere of learning, growth, and lasting community for all incoming Washington Adventist University students. Our Vision

To provide our incoming students with a) support as they transition into a new learning environment; b) encouragement for academic and personal growth; and c) an opportunity for professional development and networking. Our Mission

Mentoring is… a relationship when done successfully, it: fosters student engagement provides a support base and a sounding board for your student helps students navigate a system that can be overwhelming What Is Mentoring?

connected confident Helps students feel connected & confident Increases student engagement Produces higher GPAs Provides positive role models Increases retention The Benefit to Your Mentee

Enhances your skills in coaching, counseling, listening and modeling Helps you connect with faculty, staff and new students more directly Provides first-hand understanding of problems/issues from the student’s point of view Provides you with validation & satisfaction Encourages effective & open communication for greater, more authentic feedback The Benefit to You as a Mentor

A Mentor is… A trusted guide or friend: Many young people today may not have much of an opportunity to become friends with adults, especially adults who will actually listen to them. A caring, responsible adult: A mentor can provide access to people, places and experiences outside of the mentee’s routine environment. A positive role model: A “role model” is someone a young person aspires to be like. A mentor is someone who offers to help the young person become whomever he/she wants to be. There are many role models; however, not all are positive.

A Mentor Is Not… A parent/legal guardian: This role, as governed by law, is to provide food, shelter and clothing. It is not the mentor’s responsibility to do these things (although a home-cooked meal is nice sometimes). A social worker/psychologist: Both of these are licensed professionals, trained to provide necessary services appropriate to mental health and family services. If you believe something is amiss in the home-life of your mentee, discuss your concern with the university counselor. Resource Broker NB: It is most important for the mentor to act as a Resource Broker, showing the mentee how to access services and/or resources he or she may need, rather than attempting to provide these services.

Key Qualities of a Good Mentor Good listener Persistent Committed Patient

Ok, that sounds great and all, but… what does a mentor DO?

WAU Mentor Responsibilities Commit to the program & to your mentee(s) Review the Orientation Presentation Meet bi-monthly with your mentee Correspond contacts in-between ( , Facebook, text messaging, phone) Participate in school functions w/ your mentee Be a resource broker Be a friend & a source of positive influence & encouragement

Do: Start with your mentee’s questions. Identify your mentee’s goals. Determine what your mentee wants to know. Present alternative approaches for reaching those goals. Don’t: Tell everything you know about the subject. Talk about “How it was in my day.” Stick to the present. Tip #1: Engage Your Mentee

Hearing Listening Hearing is the easy part. Listening is a different story… Do: Suspend judgment. Acknowledge emotions. Be empathetic. Provide immediate feedback. Acknowledge what you hear as well as what is not being said. Don’t: Play the role of a therapist. Concentrate only on your mentee’s emotions. Solve the problem for your mentee. Tip #2: Lend An Ear

Sometimes offering a helping hand can serve as a catalyst to uncovering the bigger issue, therefore promoting a more full discussion. Do: Provide encouragement in multiple and timely ways. Know when to ask the right question and how to convey the message, “You can do it.” Talk through possible strategies. Co-create opportunities. Don’t: Prepare a script of what you should say. Talk for the mentee in or out of the mentee’s presence. Tip #3: Provide A Helping Hand

All too often people put a lot of energy into starting a relationship and assume that because of their initial effort, the relationship will continue to develop. Relationships require effort and persistence. Keep putting energy in to your mentoring relationship so that you sustain a beneficial relationship. Tip #4: Keep The Relationship Going

Never underestimate the amount of knowledge you actually have and impact you have on your mentee. You may know a quite a bit more about WAU and what it has to offer its students than you think. And, you have Life Experience. Let it work for you! Tip #5: Embrace The Mentor Role

Sometimes you may not know the answer to a problem or question. That’s OK. Sometimes listening is all that is needed. Tip #6: You Don’t Have to Know EVERYTHING

Your mentee could be dealing with a lot of extra “stuff” at some points in their college life. The last thing they need is to feel like their problems are too much for you. Simply remain calm and try to help problem-solve and identify resources for assistance. Tip #7: Don’t Get Overwhelmed With Your Mentee’s Problems

Tip #8: RESPECT CONFIDENTIALITY Building and maintaining trust is a major part of healthy relationships. Your mentoring experience will work best if your mentee knows he/she can trust you. The only reason to break confidentiality is if your mentee is in danger, or has said they are going to hurt themselves or someone else.

Friendships, relationships, roommates Academic success Adjusting to college (home sickness) Finances Opportunities (jobs, involvement on campus) Life skills Typical Mentee Concerns

Have realistic expectations Don’t expect an instant connection in such a short period of time All matches are not made in heaven Eat breakfast or lunch right together before finals Do a wrap-up with your mentee to find out how they enjoyed their experience Complete your Mentoring Evaluation online Final Helpful Tips

Fill out your Mentor profile online at Receive a confirmation from the Mentoring Staff Once matched with a mentee, you will receive an with your mentee’s profile Meet twice a month Complete the Mentoring Evaluation at the end of each semester. The Process

For more information, contact The Mentoring Staff