Mentor program for college students needs more volunteers
The Gavilan College Puente Program is gearing up to start mentor
training for the 2007-2008 school year Sept. 29, but coordinators
are still looking for more volunteers. The program has nearly two
dozen students involved this year, but they still need nine male
mentors to pair up with the male students in the program. They also
need volunteers who live or work in Hollister to pair with Gavilan
students who reside in Hollister. Mentors need to have a
bacherlor’s degree and live or work in the Gavilan College
district. They will share their educational and career experiences,
as well as other information that will help the students with their
own educational journey.
Mentor program for college students needs more volunteers
The Gavilan College Puente Program is gearing up to start mentor training for the 2007-2008 school year Sept. 29, but coordinators are still looking for more volunteers. The program has nearly two dozen students involved this year, but they still need nine male mentors to pair up with the male students in the program. They also need volunteers who live or work in Hollister to pair with Gavilan students who reside in Hollister. Mentors need to have a bacherlor’s degree and live or work in the Gavilan College district. They will share their educational and career experiences, as well as other information that will help the students with their own educational journey.
The Puente Program is a statewide program that helps students who are interested in transferring from a community college to a four-year school but who need a little extra support getting there. The program includes a counselor assigned to work with the students, as well as an English class to help the students develop their writing skills. The other component is matching the students up with a mentor of the same gender who has similar interests or a similar family or cultural background. The students remain in the program throughout their time at Gavilan, with the goal that they will transfer in two and a half to three years.
Mentors are asked to commit to the program for one year – two semesters – and they are asked to spend a minimum of 20 hours during the school year working with the students. Some of the hours are scheduled as mentor socials where the group gathers together and others are one-on-one sessions in person, via e-mail or by phone.
Those interested should contact Program Coordinator Celia Marquez to set up an interview. Mandatory training is Saturday, Sept. 29th. Other mentor social dates are scheduled throughout the year from 6 to 8 p.m. (Oct. 25, Dec. 6, Feb. 21, and March 31.) There is also a Parent/Student/Mentor celebration at the end of the spring semester on Friday, April 26.
For more information, contact Celia Marquez at 408-848-4807 or cm******@ga*****.edu.
