First-Generation Mentoring Program Is Seeking Volunteer Faculty Mentors

Philip Thomas

The First-Generation Mentoring Program offers a unique opportunity to mentor freshman and sophomore students on campus.

Faculty: Were you the first in your family to attend a four-year university? Now you can help current first-gen students navigate college life! Almost 25 percent of the undergraduate population at the U of A identifies as first-generation, and many of these students could benefit from the mentorship of someone who has not only lived the struggle, but learned to thrive in an academic environment.

The Honors College is again sponsoring a First-Generation Mentoring Program for all freshman and sophomore students, both honors and non-honors. The program is currently seeking caring faculty from all colleges to join Chancellor Joe Steinmetz in serving as new mentors in this exciting program!

In this program, the mentor does not replace the role of the academic adviser. Instead, through at least two meetings a semester, the mentor can help students learn more about a variety of topics, including:

• Navigating the university in general.
• Becoming more involved on campus.
• Planning a career path.
• Exploring international education opportunities.
• Becoming an honors student, if interested.
• Finding an honors research mentor.
• Balancing family/school/work.
• Learning more about community engagement.

Because of the nature of this type of mentoring, it is possible that a faculty member, if willing, will be paired with a student outside of their discipline or college.

Signing up is easy. Just complete the First-Generation Faculty Mentor Form no later than Friday, Oct. 4. This form can also be accessed at firstgenmentoring.uark.edu.

Faculty and students will be informed of their matches by email. The Honors College will subsequently hold an event where mentors and mentees can meet and mingle. You need not attend the meet and greet to be part of the program.

For more information, contact Xochitl Delgado Solorzano (xdelgad@uark.edu), the Path Program director in the Honors College.