Apply for the Mentorship Program Transitions Schedule

About the UCA Minority Mentorship Program

The Minority Mentorship Program was developed in to help students maximize their potential while attending UCA. Students involved in the program have been shown to have higher grade point averages, participate in more student organizations, and generally enjoy their time at UCA.

It begins with the Transitions Workshop. Transitions is a week-long event focusing on getting freshmen students acquainted with campus life and meeting new people. During Transitions, freshmen are paired with an upper-class, student peer-advisor to help them navigate the transition from high school to college. Peer advisors work with students throughout their freshman year. The Mentorship Program has events scheduled throughout the year to support both academic and social growth.

THE PROGRAM

The Minority Mentorship Program is an umbrella for the retention - focused activities of the UCA Department of Minority Student Services. The UCA Minority Mentorship Program began in 1991. Through it, we are providing the structure and vehicle for students to succeed academically and socially. We are also creating a campus culture that expects and encourages success by assisting students to make the adjustments to college and challenging them to maximize their potential. Part of our challenge is to prepare a group of capable and well-trained student leaders by maintaining a positive learning environment and empowering students to live, lead and learn. It is our belief that the primary way to empower students is to entrust them with significant and meaningful responsibilities. Thus students are given the opportunity to practice and develop their leadership, interpersonal, and thinking skills through several avenues.

1. Monthly forums, study breaks, a bi-monthly newsletter, and intrusive intervention are the primary activities of the Mentorship Program. Through the monthly forums, we are able to address study skills, test taking skills, career assessment, goal setting, multiculturalism, health issues, inter personal skills, and other relevant topics. Mentorship Study Breaks give students a little time to take a break and re-focus. The one-hour study breaks provide fun, food and fellowship as an outlet for students. The bi-monthly newsletter, The Word Is Out, is our primary means of communication to the program participants. Through it, we alert students to important dates, offer tips on studying and other academic related topics, and salute the achievement of program participants.
   
   The intrusive intervention aspect of the program takes on two forms. First, each student is assigned an upper class student who serves as a peer advisor to assist during their first year of school. Peer Advisors are assigned 3-5 students each and contact them at least once a week. Secondly, the Minority Student Services staff actively seek out students who are experiencing challenges and assists them in making the necessary adjustments to achieve success.
2. The Transitions Workshop is a program that introduces freshman students to the university faculty, staff and students and to campus activities and organizations. Through the vehicles of the Alumni Panel, Academic Challenge, and motivational keynote speaker, the workshop provides students with the necessary information to begin their college experience.

SUCCESS

Mentorship Program students are experiencing success in their academic and co-curricular activities. They are involved in and leading organizations on campus such as the Student Government Association, Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, SOS, UCA Ambassadors, fraternities, sororities, and many other student organizations. We anticipate that we will continue to experience success in this program. Although, we continue to have a tremendous task of assisting students in their matriculation through these accomplishments. In this program, success produces success. Ultimately, as our students achieve, they will challenge others who will likewise be inspired to maximize their potential thus creating a culture of achievement.

Apply for Mentorship Program