Freshmen are especially busy adjusting to the demands of college and may miss some of the opportunities to develop their research portfolio, which can help improve many aspects of a student’s learning, including critical thinking, complex reasoning, and written communication. In order to help Freshmen in Sociology to identify and juggle their priorities, while increasing their access to available opportunities in training, workshops, lectures, and meetings, the tiered mentoring program will partner Freshmen with seniors to help them develop their portfolios through working with the Center for Conflict Management.
Peer-mentors play an important role in helping students develop their portfolios, allowing them to engage more directly with the local community, developing a research project, and helping them to develop critical research skills. By focusing on research opportunities early on, students can develop the network and connections for a rewarding internship opportunity, while a real-world research experience allows a student’s resume to stand out to employers.
As students learn from their peers that other students have different approaches to leadership, establishing networks, problem solving and developing the communication skills necessary to be successful in their careers. Exchanging ideas and learning through experience leads to academic skill development for both the mentor and mentee. As students learn from each other, they sharpen their leadership and networking skills, deepening the problem solving and communication skills necessary to be successful in their careers.
The tiered mentoring program is designed for students to be both mentees and eventually mentors. Each student is encouraged to participate during their freshman year, where they will work with a senior in learning how to:
- Identify opportunities related to training, workshops, lectures, and meetings available through the Center for Conflict Management
- Identify opportunities for funding that can help students build their resumes
- Cultivating research skills and networking opportunities toward entering research careers
- Engage with the local community on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Identify opportunities to work with the local community on issues pertaining to social justice
In their senior year, the student becomes the mentor for new freshmen joining that year. Having the experience of mentoring newer students really shows the “mentor” students how much they have learned and gives them the confidence that they can succeed in their field.
How to Participate in the Tiered Mentoring Program
To participate, write a description (up to 500 words) of why the tiered mentoring program is of interest to you. This is a very popular program, so please make sure to take time to write a worthy application. Then go to the application form HERE. The application form requires you to input some basic information about yourself (e.g., demographic information, GPA, awards/scholarships, work experience, etc.) and upload a one page resume.
The mentoring experience begins as soon as you are paired with a mentor, but a minimum of one semester of commitment to the tiered-mentoring program is expected.
The Tiered Mentoring program is made possible by the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences and the Williams Honors College.
The deadline for applications is October 20, 2022. Decisions will be made by November 1 on placement and you should expect to hear from the director of the tiered mentoring program shortly after. You will then need to contact your senior mentor to arrange your first meeting.
If you have any questions about Tiered Mentoring, please contact Dr. Hazel Barton, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (bartonh@uakron.edu).