More Information about ‘Diversity’, Mentoring & Community
We have given a lot of thought to what we think about diversity, about mentoring, and its importance to our community. If you like, you can read more about what we think. If you want to send us your thoughts, please do at: collegiate-mentoring-info@listhost.uchicago.edu
The Values Behind Collegiate Mentoring
For the purposes of this program, we define our commitment to diversity as a commitment to building a community in which students of all backgrounds and orientations are embraced, heard, valued and supported during their years as college students at the University of Chicago. We recognize that as students you maintain multiple affiliations, as result of which you derive a sense of who you are. The graduate students and staff serving the Collegiate Mentoring Program understand that there are many ways of being human. Specifically, there are many factors—race, ethnicity, culture, religion, history, socioeconomic location, gender, family life—that shape and mediate the development of a person. In mentoring you, we accompany you, as you examine what you are learning and experiencing in college and evaluate how these experiences affect your sense of who you are.
We serve undergraduates from a variety of different backgrounds. But because many minority students at the UofC report that after some time here they feel alienated or marginalized, the Collegiate Mentoring Program pays special attention to the needs of undergraduates of color. We assume, however, that any student may be prepared to collaborate in our mutual endeavor to foster a community where people of different backgrounds and experiences are valued. Any student wanting to participate in this program should embrace these values, as he or she will be expected to participate fully in the programming of the Collegiate Mentoring Program.
Our Mentoring Philosophy
The graduate and professional school students who serve as mentors are committed to discovering your social, intellectual and creative talents. Their long-term goal in working with you is to insure that your growth—as students and as people—develops from your abilities and gifts. In this way, the mentoring you receive is "student-centered".
Who Is a Mentor?
A successful mentor is someone from whom you can learn and with whom you can share many things. A committed mentor is devoted to discovering you and is open to you. A responsible mentor is available and stays connected to you. A good mentor is someone who will make the effort to know you; support you in times of difficulty and delight in your achievements.
A Collegiate Mentor is all of these things. She or he will commit to knowing you and will become an older friend. Collegiate Mentors can help you with your work when you need it, help you find jobs, and help you get access to services, offices and student organizations. Collegiate Mentors make sure that you are doing wellpersonally, socially and academically. And, they will want to spend time with you. In the Collegiate Mentoring Program, you can expect to get support and guidance, but you should also expect to have fun.
You might also like to know that a Collegiate Mentor is typically an advanced PhD student or a student in one of our professional schools (Pritzker Medical School, the Law School, or the Graduate School of Business). All of the Collegiate Mentors are people with experience in communities of color. In addition to their expertise in their studies, many Collegiate Mentors bring interesting work experience, international experience and community service experience to their work in the Collegiate Mentoring Program. Additionally, Collegiate Mentors go through a rigorous application process. Once hired, they are trained and supervised throughout the academic year.
