Office of Multicultural Affairs

West Chester University

Room 003
Sykes Student Union
Phone: (610)436-3273
Hours: M-F 8:00AM-4:30PM


OMA Mentoring Program

Purpose
The purpose of the Office of Multicultural Affairs Mentoring Program at West Chester University (WCU) is to assist first-year and transfer students of African, Asian, Latino, and Native American (multicultural) descent in making a successful transition to WCU.

The program, which is open to all first-year and transfer multicultural students, aims to empower individual student participants by providing them with a member of WCU's faculty/staff and multicultural student body who will guide, offer information, and support the student throughout his/her initial year of enrollment.

Our office strongly believes that the contributions of a faculty/staff member and a multicultural student who has earned 24 or more credits will result in a significant increase in the number of multicultural students achieving success at WCU, both inside and outside of the classroom.


Mentoring
Mentoring is a process in which a structured relationship exists between an experienced person (mentor) and another less experienced person (mentee). The mentor offers advice, guidance, support, motivation, encouragement, constructive feedback, and counseling to the mentee for an extended period of time. Relationships between the mentor and the mentee can be formal or informal. 

If interested in becoming a mentee in the 2011-2012 mentoring program please complete the Mentee Enrollment Form, print, and return to the multicultural center. Meet Our Mentors.


Design
The OMA Mentoring Program consists of three basic components. The first component is the faculty/staff mentor. The second component is comprised of the student peer mentors. Mentors on each level strive to assist first-year and transfer multicultural student in his/her academic, career, personal, and social endeavors during their initial year of enrollment at WCU. The third, and most important component is the first-year or transfer multicultural student, the focus of the program.


Benefits of Mentoring Mentees:
  • Alleviation of confusion & alienation as a new student on a new campus.
  • Enhanced academic performance.
  • Smooth transition and acclimation to the university campus and community
  • Acquire increased skills to be able to network with peers and professionals.
  • Obtain increased awareness of the value of interdependence and self advocacy.
  • Provided with the tools needed to have a successful college experience.
  • Introduced to positive role models who are students as well as professionals.
  • Increased awareness of the campus resources.
  • Increased awareness and understanding of their student rights.

Mentors:
  • Afforded opportunities to have a positive affect on an individual's life.
  • Demonstrate through role modeling, that new students are valued members of the university community.
  • Serve as a resource for new students and increase awareness of the campus resources.
  • Serve as a resource and guide in informing new students of various ways to communicate with peers and professionals effectively.
  • Assist with avoiding common academic, social, and, personal pitfalls.
  • Assist with gaining a greater appreciation of the importance of interdependence.
  • Develop a true sense of "giving back" to the community.
  • Acquire an increased appreciation for people of diverse backgrounds.
  • Experience personal satisfied from making a positive difference.

Peer Mentors Information
Peer Mentor Application 2012-2013
Peer Mentor Job Description
Peer Mentor Position Qualifications and Requirements