SHU’S MENTOR PROGRAM HELPS FRESHMEN TRANSITION TO COLLEGE LIFE AND FOCUS ON THEIR MISSION
Sacred Heart University Mentor Program staff prepare for their new students. From left, Valerie Wherley, Joel Quintong, Cindy Egloff, Laura Minor, and Amy Ricci
FAIRFIELD, Conn.—This fall, freshmen at Sacred Heart University will have a little extra help navigating their way through the transition to college life. The university's new Student Mentor Program will move into full-swing after completing a successful pilot program last year.
The mission of the Student Mentor Program is to ensure that the learning process at Sacred Heart University extends outside the walls of the classroom. The Mentor Program draws on Sacred Heart University's mission as a model of student development, with a focus on their holistic development.
“It is our hope that each student leaves Sacred Heart University with a better sense of themselves through the examination of each of the following areas: knowledgeable of self, rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart, responsive to social & civic obligations, able to respond to an ever-changing world and with the skills necessary to be a leader in their chosen field,” stated Valerie Wherley, Ph.D., director of the university's Student Mentor Program.
This innovative program will match a professional mentor for each incoming first-year student. The mentor, together with the student, will prepare an individualized Student Development Plan that focuses on providing a holistic living and learning experience outside of the classroom. Each student is required to attend a series of programs and activities that are designed and focused around the mission of Sacred Heart University. The student and mentor will meet at least three times over the course of each of the first two semesters.
According to Dr. Wherley, the Student Mentor Program at Sacred Heart University is like none-other in higher education. “A new model was created, pairing every incoming freshman with a full-time Students Affairs professional (a.k.a. Student Mentor). In doing so, a trusting relationship is built between students and staff. The mentor, in turn, is available to answers student's questions, assist in times of concern or crisis, and encourage students to make the most of their higher education experience by getting involved in extracurricular opportunities,” she said.
During individual meetings, students are able to discuss home-sickness, roommate issues, living away from home for the first time, time management issues, class schedules, major selection, and work-study jobs.
During the pilot year, which took place during the last school year, the Mentor Office held a program entitled “Self-Esteem & Success” which talked about the importance of having positive self-esteem in order to be successful in college and in life.
In addition, the mentors and their students organized the the University's first on-campus active-learning volunteer project, “Young at Sacred Heart,” in April. Third and fourth grade students from elementary schools in Bridgeport spent the day on the campus of Sacred Heart University, in an event that was designed to engage young children in fun learning activities while fostering community service opportunities for SHU freshmen.
“We understand the challenges that freshmen face and it is our aspiration to make the transition from high school to college as seamless as possible,” said Dr. Wherley. “It's wonderful to work so closely with the students in a program that follows the spirit of Sacred Heart University's mission.”
Previous Page
Back to September 2005
Next Page