1. Bobcat Bond New Mentee Orientation Fall 2017

2. Mission
The program's mission is to increase the retention of students by providing second year and transfer students opportunities to learn from mentors who serve as coaches, role models, advisors, guides and referral agents.

3. What is Bobcat Bond?
Program that provides a relationship that helps an individual to grow and develop.
Bobcat Bond encourages student engagement.
It provides a support base and a sounding board for mentees.
It helps students navigate the campus that can be overwhelming.

4. Mentoring Examples

5. Mentoring Examples

6. Mentoring Examples

7. Mentoring Examples

8. Mentoring Examples

9. Benefits for You Helps you feel connected & confident
Provides role models
Someone who knows how to find the campus resources you need
Increased engagement, a higher GPA, and increased retention
Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences
Someone who knows what it takes to be a successful student
Can begin to develop your career development plan
Someone to talk to about academic and/or personal issues

10. Your Responsibilities
Regularly contact your mentor and keep them updated on your progress
they are investing in you!
Explain expectations and what you want out of the program
Participate in Bobcat Bond Program activities
Make honest effort to succeed

11. Your Expectations?

12. Benefits for Mentors
Helps connect faculty, staff & peer mentors with students more directly
Helps mentors understand problems/issues from the mentees’ point of view
Mentors feel needed/valued and are retained
Mentors feel like they have made a difference in someone’s life
Encourages effective and open communication

13. Mentor Responsibilities
Commit to the program and to their mentee(s)
Meet regularly at times agreed upon
Communicate regularly through , Facebook, text messages
Participate in Bobcat Bond Program activities
Be a resource and provide positive reinforcement for you
Help you connect to people and resources

14. Things To Do Attend Bobcat Bond activities together
Mid-Term Relaxer
End of the Year Awards Ceremony
Weekly connections (face-to-face, phone, Facebook, Twitter, text messaging)
Coffee/Breakfast/Lunch
Attend student organized activities together
Brilliant Bobcats Workshops
Attend athletic and/or cultural events
Football, Volleyball, Soccer games
Attend a speaker event together (Common Experience, etc.)
Attend job/housing fairs

15. Tips Find common interests – break the ice!
Be actively involved in discussions with your mentor
Collaborate on goals for your relationship
Be specific! They won’t know to help you if you don’t let them know.
Be yourself! Your mentor was once in your shoes
Be open & honest
HAVE FUN!

16. QUESTIONS?

17. Terence Parker or Alex Patlan
Bobcat Bond Contacts
Terence Parker or Alex Patlan
Bobcat Bond Staff