Academic Journey Mentor Program
The College of Arts & Letters Academic Journey Mentor Program will begin as a pilot program for fall 2021. This program fosters stronger relationships between faculty and underrepresented minority students. Faculty and student mentors in each department help scholars navigate their academic journeys. Descriptions and responsibilities are listed below.
Student Mentor
Learn more about the responsibilities of student mentors.
- Complete ISEC training that will cover counseling and best practices.
- Work with URM students (mentees) - could be first or second year students, students
new to the major, or any student who may be in need of mentoring (3 or fewer mentees).
- Give support, answer questions, help with issues that may arise.
- Help welcome mentees into the professional aspects of the discipline.
- Check in once a week with mentees (call, text, or email).
- Meet in person once a month (or Facetime/Zoom).
- Keep a contact log.
- Represent and support department and college DEI initiatives.
- Meet with faculty mentor and mentees for a total of 4 to 6 hours a month.
- Offer suggestions for improving the mentoring program.
- Attend end-of-semester celebratory lunch with mentors.
Faculty Mentor
Learn more about the responsibilities of faculty mentors.
- Meet with student mentor(s) for at least 4 to 6 hours per month.
- Meet with faculty mentors from other departments at least once a month.
- Organize and meet with student mentor(s) and mentees at least once per semester.
- Be available for student mentor(s) to answer questions or help with issues that arise.
- Represent and support department and college DEI initiatives, such as attending departmental events (guest speakers, book signings, outreach, etc.).
- Offer suggestions for improving the mentoring program.
- Attend end-of-semester celebratory lunch with mentors.
Please complete the application below to apply by April 30, 2021.
- Open to under-represented minority (URM) students .
- Undergraduate or graduate student that has been at WKU for at least 1 year.
- Must be committed for one academic year (Fall 2021-Spring 2022) .
- Must be available for face-to-face training for all of the following times:
- Friday, August 27th from 1– 4 pm
- Friday, September 3rd from 1 – 4 pm
- Friday, September 10th from 1 – 3 pm
- Student mentor for a given department should be a major, minor, or have a concentration in the discipline .
- Will earn $200 stipend ($100 at end of Fall semester; $100 at end of Spring semester).
- Individuals will be notified by May 14th if they have been selected as a mentor.
If you have any questions, please email potter.college@wku.edu
Submit Your Departmental End-of-Year Mentor Program Report
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