2008 Woodie Awards
URI seeks student mentors
Robert Preliasco
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: News
02/07/08 - It doesn't take a college graduate to teach freshmen classes at the University of Rhode Island - some of them anyway.
The Office of Internships and Experiential Education is looking for 170 URI students to serve as mentors in URI 101 classes. Students will be paired with a professor and help a class of about 25 freshmen adjust to college life next fall.
"We're looking for someone who has good academic standing who wants to be involved," said Kim Washor, coordinator of the URI 101 mentor program.
Applicants can be of any age and in any major.
"I have students who were requested by an instructor, I have students who are gung-ho involved on campus and that's why they want to do this one more thing," Washor said. "I have people who had a really great 101 experience and want to pass that along."
No matter how the mentors join the program, they are usually paired with a professor from their degree field and work with students who share that major. Washor said mentors offer advice to their students on topics such as choosing classes, study tips and living on campus. She said that freshmen in URI 101 can sometimes feel overwhelmed and a URI 101 mentor can be helpful to them.
"Once you come to campus, finding someone who cares about you makes all the difference in the world to people," Washor said.
Kate McManus, who was a URI 101 mentor last semester and plans to be one again in the fall, said that the experience is rewarding for the mentor as well.
"It's probably one of the best experiences I've had at URI. You don't even realize how much you know about the university until [the students] start asking you questions," she said. "I think it's a great way to get involved on campus."
Mentors help plan each URI 101 class and co-teach them with their professor. The classes are once a week for 10 weeks and also involve a community service project.
"That allows a mentor and, especially the freshmen, to feel more connected to the community," Washor said.
The Office of Internships and Experiential Education is looking for 170 URI students to serve as mentors in URI 101 classes. Students will be paired with a professor and help a class of about 25 freshmen adjust to college life next fall.
"We're looking for someone who has good academic standing who wants to be involved," said Kim Washor, coordinator of the URI 101 mentor program.
Applicants can be of any age and in any major.
"I have students who were requested by an instructor, I have students who are gung-ho involved on campus and that's why they want to do this one more thing," Washor said. "I have people who had a really great 101 experience and want to pass that along."
No matter how the mentors join the program, they are usually paired with a professor from their degree field and work with students who share that major. Washor said mentors offer advice to their students on topics such as choosing classes, study tips and living on campus. She said that freshmen in URI 101 can sometimes feel overwhelmed and a URI 101 mentor can be helpful to them.
"Once you come to campus, finding someone who cares about you makes all the difference in the world to people," Washor said.
Kate McManus, who was a URI 101 mentor last semester and plans to be one again in the fall, said that the experience is rewarding for the mentor as well.
"It's probably one of the best experiences I've had at URI. You don't even realize how much you know about the university until [the students] start asking you questions," she said. "I think it's a great way to get involved on campus."
Mentors help plan each URI 101 class and co-teach them with their professor. The classes are once a week for 10 weeks and also involve a community service project.
"That allows a mentor and, especially the freshmen, to feel more connected to the community," Washor said.