Student/Faculty
Mentor Program
Overview of the
Program
The Student/Faculty Mentor Program has
been established with hopes of introducing faculty members
to a new part of student learning. We feel this program
will enhance the overall educational experience at Miami
University. Students often need advice and information
that is not found in any textbook and on topics that
cannot be researched on the Internet. Therefore, the
program will give participating students a chance to
tap into the knowledge and experience of Miami faculty
members.
The mentor program is not intended to
replace or duplicate the academic advising program.
The difference between these two programs is that in
most cases the student does not get to interact with
the advisor nor does the advisor have the time to get
to know the student on a personal basis. In contrast,
the Student/Faculty Mentor program provides an opportunity
for students and faculty to participate together in
learning outside of the classroom.
Mentors might offer advice, share their
experiences, or merely serve as a sounding board for
students' thoughts on topics, such as future career
options. While no mentor will have the answer to every
question, the mentor will likely know someone who will
have the answer and can therefore point students in
the right direction.
The Associated Student Government's
Academic Affairs Coalition serves as the middleman in
this program. All we will do is pair up the student
and faculty member. How the relationship progresses
and what direction it takes is up to those two participants.
Each relationship will be unique which is one of the
highlights of the program. Since each student and mentor
have different interests and goals, each mentor and
student will have their own one of a kind relationship.
In summary, the goal of this program
is to better foster a sense of the Miami community not
merely by talk but by direct student/faculty interaction,
building relationships that last for more than one semester
and that have an impact that may last a lifetime.
Positive Aspects of the Program
For Faculty
Become a contributing partner of the
Miami Community by having a close and unique relationship
with a student
Go beyond what's required and utilize your talents,
potential, knowledge and experience as a mentor
Make a simple difference in a student's life
Foster a reciprocal relationship. You'll learn from
your students and knowing where your students are coming
from will aid in improving your teaching methods
Obtain welcome assistance for the research projects
in which you are engaged
Help "build upon close faculty student interaction"
as stated in the "First in 2009" Strategic
Vision
Positive Aspects of the Program
For Students
Advice, guidance, and counseling in
any areas of need such as academic, professional and
career, school involvement, etc.
The Mentor is a good source of a qualified recommendation
needed for scholarships, graduate school, future employment,
etc.
Guidance in the personal and professional aspects of
your life as well as increased intellectual stimulation
Have a meaningful, lasting relationship with a faculty
member that will help keep you a connected part of the
Miami community beyond your years as a student here.
Become a more productive, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified
student
Program Details
Who Are the Ideal Candidates For This
Program?
This program is being established for
enthusiastic, self-motivated students who are seeking
to become a closer part of the Miami community and also
looking to grow and prosper as a young academic student,
professional, and as an individual.
Ideal faculty candidates are those who
are willing to go beyond the boundaries of the classroom
and interact and educate students. This program seeks
faculty members who care about creating a sense of community
and are interested in expanding their Miami family.
Faculty members and students from all disciplines and
areas of study are encouraged to join the program.
Commitment
The participants mutually determine
how much time will be devoted to this endeavor. There
is no required amount of time that the faculty member
and student need to spend together. Some students might
want to talk with their mentor every week while others
might just want to meet once in a while and talk to
them only when they have a question. Obviously, the
benefits received by the participants depend upon the
time/effort they devote.
Application Process
The application will merely consist
of a personal information and biographical form. Application
for faculty is open now. Starting in the fall semester
of the 2002-2003 academic year, application forms will
be available to freshmen and sophomore students. Acceptance
into the program will be open all year round. Interested
faculty members and students can also obtain application
forms online or mail/deliver completed forms to the
ASG office, Shriver Center, Room 374.
Matching and Notification
This is to be a one-on-one program,
so each participating mentor will be matched with only
one student. ASG will pair up each student with a mentor
based upon the respective interests and objectives noted
in their applications. However, before finalizing the
match, the faculty member will be contacted with information
on the prospective student match to make sure the faculty
member is still available to be a mentor. Not all applicants
will be matched immediately due to the fact that application
will be on a rolling basis. All information will be
kept on file until each student/mentor match is completed.
Faculty and student will begin to be paired up in the
fall/winter of 2002.
|
