University of Delaware Office of Public Relations The Messenger Vol. 5, No. 3/1996 Mentoring program helps incoming and current students prosper When freshmen arrive on campus, they often are confronted by an overwhelming amount of information. During this busy and confusing time, it can be very reassuring to hear from upperclassmen in their chosen majors that it is possible to process all this information and survive that first hectic semester. To help new students prosper is the goal of the Department of Individual and Family Studies' student mentoring program, which began last fall. "The freshman year is a time of difficult transition," Marion Hyson, department chairperson, says. "The mentoring program can help students through this period and help them to develop into successful students and graduates." The program pairs mentors-recommended by members of the student and faculty advisory boards within the department-with several new students, or "mentees." Prospective mentors are sent a form during the summer, asking them to participate and to attend the New Student Orientation, where they meet their mentees. Mentors and mentees are matched according to their majors, which include early childhood development and education; family and community services; and human development and family processes. Undergraduate coordinator Julie Wilgen says mentees are able to leave the orientation with the names and phone numbers of their mentors. "It is a real plus for these students," Hyson says, "to each have a piece of paper with the name of a person who will give them a call later." Besides being able to answer many of the new students' queries concerning programs, clubs, selecting classes and professors or about campus life in general, mentors also serve as role models. Additionally, the mentoring program helps mentors develop their leadership potential, something that Hyson says is very important in her department. "Individuals who are recommended to be mentors are motivated, enthusiastic and academically successful," Hyson says. "They are the type of graduates we want to produce." To monitor the program's progress, a survey was conducted to see if mentees had made contact with their mentors and to give an overall evaluation of their experiences. The results indicated that, while some students used the program more than others, the vast majority had been in touch with their mentors. "I think the effort put into organizing the program was well worth it," Wilgen says. "I also think that students who took advantage of the program felt that it was very helpful." "I'm excited about what we have done so far," Hyson says. "I'm looking forward to developing the program further and supporting its progress." -Jerry Rhodes