Prince George's Community College

Who are mentors?                                        

Mentors are faculty, administrators, staff, peers, and community/business representatives from diverse educational and personal backgrounds. Mentors volunteer their time to counsel and guide a student or group of students for a mutually agreed upon time period towards their educational and personal goals.

Students are matched according to major, availability, and preferred mentor qualities. Students are assigned mentors after application process, intake, and student agreements have been completed.

What are mentoring activities?

Mentors work together with students outside of the classroom in a variety of activities. The most popular include, but are not limited to:

• office meetings
• campus resource meetings
• goal setting sessions
• academic progress meetings
• social gatherings
• cultural activities
• field trips
• job shadowing experiences
• phone contact
• e-mail
• group sessions
• follow-up sessions

Student Responsibilities           

• Sign a student agreement.
• Regularly attend classes.
• Be prompt and keep scheduled appointments.
• Contact mentor if experiencing difficulty in classes.
• Meet in person with mentor at least four times each semester.
• Take responsibility for the relationship, i.e. initiate phone calls, appointments, and follow through activities.
• Identify short-term goals.
• Attend program activities.
• Make at least one office contact each semester to provide update of academic progress.

How can students get involved?

• Complete an application to participate in the program.
• Meet with an ALANA staff member to discuss academic and career goals.
• Complete an Academic Action Plan.
• Sign the Student Agreement form.
• Attend a program orientation session.
• Participate in program activities.
• Meet with assigned mentor

Mentor Responsibilities

• Meet with assigned student based upon agreed schedule.
• Assist in the development of skills necessary for student to succeed in college.
• Monitor academic performance.
• Assist student in developing realistic career/academic and personal goals and expectations.
• Refer student to appropriate support services.
• Communicate concerns to program staff.
• Attend program sponsored activities.
• Make attempts to follow up with students.
• Foster a welcoming atmosphere.
• Complete a simple program evaluation each year.

How can mentors get involved?

• Complete a mentoring application.
• Attend mentor orientation session.
• Must be available to meet with student.
• Commit to work with a student for one year.
• Participate in program activities.

Student Comments

“ALANA offers support for a successful transition from high school to college”

“ALANA gives you a sense of self-worth”

“Thank you for everything, this is an excellent program”

“Keep up the good work. The Atlanta trip should have been longer. The Women’s retreat was fantastic. I had a blast with the Gear UP students, who still keep in contact”

Mentor Comments

“Amongst many benefits, I have been able to learn about and experience another culture. It’s an awesome experience when you can give just a little time and advice to a student and it makes a world of difference.” Brenda Teal, Developmental Studies

“Mentoring new students provided me with not only a personal feeling of accomplishment through helping others, but also, renewed understanding and insight about how it feels to be a student navigating through the often complicated, maze of college life.” Debra Greene, Student Support Services/TRIO

“It has been very rewarding to establish relationships with the students, to be there to help them troubleshoot problems and to celebrate their victories with them. I find it very gratifying to be a part of the milestones students experience along the way, such as going on to graduate studies, securing employment and even starting families.” Beth Adkins, Counseling Services.

MENTORING & RETENTION SERVICES

MENTORING:

Participants may be assigned to an affinity group and/or a mentor, an experienced advisor, peer, faculty/staff or community representative to help guide you through your educational program.

ADVISING AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT:

Provide academic advising and the development of an educational plan (academic action plan) for program participants. Other academic support includes study skills strategies, academic monitoring, referrals for career counseling, personal counseling and tutoring services.

ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER:

A wide variety of books, magazines and movies are available for students to view to increase cultural awareness and provide academic assistance. Computer and study space are available for students.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:

Several activities are available to help you get to know other students, faculty, and staff within the Prince George's Community College community. The activities include a holiday reception, end of year event, Mentor/Mentee Brown Bags, Men Moving Forward, and cultural field trips.

NEWSLETTERS:

A semester newsletter (ALANAGRAM) containing such information as a calendar of events, important dates, transfer and study skill tips, student recognition, job information and more.

MEN MOVING FORWARD:

A group designed to build leadership and academic success in men. Men participate in monthly academic and personal development workshops, positive and constructive group social interactions and community building projects.

MEETING IN THE LADIES’ ROOM:         

A monthly forum and outlet for women to explore issues concerning women, share unique experiences, build support, network, enhance self-concept and identify strategies and barriers to academic success through group discussions, workshops, readings and guest speakers.

AOBA SCHOLARSHIP:

The Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington provides 2-year, full-tuition scholarships for Prince George’s Community County High School graduates. The program includes on/off –campus mentoring, job shadow experience, leadership seminars, summer internships, and community service projects.

CAMPUS VISITS:

Campus visitations to Bowie State, Frostburg State, Salisbury State, Morgan State, Delaware State, Towson State, UMCP, UMBC, UMES, Howard University, American University and George Washington University. (free of charge).

Mentor Resources

www.mentors.ca/Docs.html Annotated bibliography for mentor research and information

www.peer.ca List of published works on mentoring

www.mentorsforum.co.uk Forum for people to share mentoring experiences

You may direct questions concerning the A.L.A.N.A. program by E-mail: ALANA@pgcc.edu