Tag: Mentoring

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Academic Skill Development Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center First-Generation Initiative Mentorship Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs

First-Generation Initiative: The Power of Mentorship

Being a first-generation college student often means navigating higher education without a roadmap. Mentorship provides first-generation college students with an extra hand in navigating unfamiliar territory through building community, accessing resources, and receiving support.

Tricia Miller, a therapist at the Bob Smith Health Center, has enjoyed mentoring three first-generation students. She hosted an end-of-year dinner for her mentees to celebrate their achievements and reflect on their journeys together. Mentees Tosin Illesanmi, Monica Montanez, and Kyla Gijan were all accepted into the McNair Scholars program, where they will begin research projects and have stepped into leadership positions across campus.

For Tricia, mentoring is more than academics; it’s about making students feel heard and affirmed. As a mentor, Tricia enjoys supporting, encouraging, and guiding them through their educational journey. “It has been a joy to mentor them,” Tricia said. “They are humble and appreciative of the opportunities available at SMU, especially through the First-Generation Initiative events.”

Tricia Miller’s story shows the transformative power of mentorship. The First-Generation Initiative’s semesterly Peruna Mentorship Mixer connects faculty and staff allies with first-generation students. This event offers an opportunity to meet faculty and staff who are dedicated to supporting students’ success while fostering lasting connections beyond the university.

 

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Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies Office of General Education SMU in Four Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs Student Success & Retention University Advising Center University Testing Center

Community and Support: DASS Launches a Peer Mentor Program

Portrait of Lindsay Templeton, DASS Peer Mentor

Starting at a new university can be exciting and overwhelming. To help ease that transition, Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) is developing a Peer Mentor Program. This pilot initiative pairs new DASS students with fellow Mustangs with disabilities who understand both the opportunities and challenges of life at SMU.

DASS peer mentors provide personal, academic, and social guidance. They help new students navigate campus, balance the demands of college life, stay motivated, and problem-solve challenges. Mentors also connect students to key campus resources, share strategies for navigating SMU systems (including DASS!), and, perhaps most importantly, help build a strong sense of campus community and support.

As our Lead Peer Mentor Lindsay Templeton explains:

“College is tough, particularly when you’re not a traditional student. I think the things that help you succeed most are learning how to advocate for yourself and building a support network. When I started at SMU, all the different demands and expectations felt heavy and isolating. It took me time to learn how to speak up for myself and find people who made everything feel a little easier. My hope is that I can help other students get over those hurdles more quickly than I did and for them to know they have someone cheering them on.”

If you or a student you know would like more information or, better yet, to join the DASS Peer Mentor Program pilot as a mentor or a mentee, please contact David Tylicki at dtylicki@smu.edu.

Together, we can help every Mustang start strong!

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Office of Engaged Learning Student Academic Engagement & Success

Exciting Summer Updates: Launching the Mustang Mentors Peer-Mentoring Program

logo of SMU Mustang Mentors program

We are thrilled to share exciting updates about the new Mustang Mentors peer-mentoring program. Set to fully launch this fall, the program has made significant strides in recruiting both mentors and mentees over the summer. Thanks to the assistance from our dedicated partners and technology platform Mentor Collective, along with our invaluable campus colleagues, we are well on our way to creating a vibrant and supportive mentoring network for our students.

Since the launch of our summer recruitment plan, we have seen our mentor registration increase from 39 to 67 students! We’ve witnessed an enthusiastic response from mentors eager to share their knowledge and experiences, as well as from first-year students looking for guidance and a sense of belonging at SMU.

We are also pleased to report an increase in our mentee registration from 18 to 27 first-year students. This is a good start, and we look forward to engaging more first-year students at Family Fest during STAMPEDE. As part of your continued support, please direct students not affiliated with a group (e.g., scholars, Greek) to our table to sign up.

Thank you once again to everyone who has contributed to this initiative with a special thank you to our partners in Student Affairs, Transfer Advising, First-Generation, and RLSH. Your support has been vital to building such positive momentum with this new initiative.

We look forward to sharing more updates as we move forward. If you would like to learn more please visit our website at smu.edu/mustangmentors for more information.

Pony Up!

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News Office of Engaged Learning Pathways to Industry

Exploring boundless futures with SMU’s Pathways to Business and Industry

A close-up view of a person typing on a laptop.

Embarking on a journey, SMU Pathways to Business and Industry (PBI) is an ongoing initiative designed to guide undergraduates through their academic years and beyond, nurturing their aspirations towards careers in business and industry. PBI extends its support not only to first and second-year students but also to transfer undergraduates, ensuring a comprehensive approach to academic and career development.

SMU PBI offers a structured framework enabling students to explore majors and minors within academic departments across campus including Dedman College of Humanities and Science, Meadows School of the Arts, Lyle School of Engineering, and Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

In collaboration with SMU’s academic departments and university service partners, PBI organizes a series of tailored events throughout the fall and spring semesters. These programs will serve as invaluable opportunities for students to delve deeper into the initiative’s offerings, foster meaningful connections through networking, and engage in enriching experiences.

By joining PBI, eligible students that are actively pursuing opportunities for growth and development gain exclusive access to tailored programs and events. These initiatives not only broaden their understanding of business and industry careers but also provide paths for hands-on learning and skill enhancement.

If you know of first, second, or transfer undergraduate students eager to unearth their passions and navigate their academic and professional trajectories, encourage them to join PBI by signing up at smu.edu/pbi.

To learn more about the PBI initiative, feel free to reach out to pbi@smu.edu.

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Office of Engaged Learning

New mentorship opportunities with Mustang Mentors

Two students looking at laptop computers

This past month, a select group of students were invited to participate as a mentor or mentee in the SMU Mustang Mentors program. The Office of Engaged Learning is working with Mentor Collective, a peer mentoring platform that creates one-on-one connections between students to enhance the college experience. Students are paired with a peer mentor based on common interests, skills, and academic goals who can provide guidance and support as they transition to life at SMU. Students will learn what to expect in school, how to approach challenges and gain career advice. At the same time, mentors will build their networks and develop skills to become better professionals and leaders.

Mustang Mentors will be hosting info sessions this spring for students to learn more about the program and what it has to offer. In the fall, the program will welcome a full cohort of mentors and mentees. To learn more about the program, contact mustangmentors@smu.edu and stay tuned for more information at smu.edu/mustangmentors.

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News Office of Engaged Learning Student Academic Engagement & Success

National Mentoring Month 2024

Two women sitting together on a bench outside smiling

Did you know January is National Mentoring Month? Mentoring plays a significant role in the university experience, providing students with the support, guidance, and resources they need to succeed. As a new semester begins, now is the perfect time for us to reflect on the impact these positive relationships have within our academic community.

Here are some of the benefits of mentoring, to name a few: 

  • Improved academic performance
  • Positive impact on mental health and well-being
  • Boosted confidence and sense of belonging
  • Connections on campus and beyond
  • Preparation for life after college

Peer mentoring is equally as important to student success and offers the unique benefit of the shared experience!

Starting this spring, the Office of Engaged Learning will re-launch SMU Mustang Mentors in partnership with the Mentor Collective, a peer mentoring platform to promote student engagement and tailor mentorship to fit all students’ needs.

Join us in celebrating National Mentoring Month and stay tuned for more on SMU Mustang Mentors!