(Cabrillo College’s Mentor Program pairs students with faculty to help guide them through their college experience. Contributed photo)
APTOS — Cabrillo College’s fall semester begins Monday, and the school is currently preparing its new faculty and staff to participate in its newly-formed Mentor Program.
Launched in 2016, the opt-in, volunteer Mentor Program aims to make a positive impact on the lives of Cabrillo’s students by pairing them with faculty and staff during their enrollment.
Mentors can offer classroom guidance, personal direction, resource information and career direction, becoming a “bridge” for the students to help them navigate the college experience. Mentors may fulfill a number of roles, such as soundboards, coaches, supporters, career resources, relationship drivers and teachers.
“Research by Ernest Pascarella finds that mentoring for students in college helps students to feel more connected and engaged on campus, which can ultimately improve student outcomes,” said Sue Gochis, Cabrillo’s Vice President of Student Services. “In our first couple years of the Mentor Program at Cabrillo, we’ve experienced that — students have improved retention after the first semester, and we’re seeing better grades and improved graduation rates, in addition to higher motivation levels and improved self-esteem.” Read more…
