Mentorship program proposed for U of M

Social work initiative hopes to expand

VERONICA CARR STAFF

With some guidance from Ryerson University, the University of Manitoba is in the midst of developing a mentorship program that will aid students in sorting through resources on campus.

In the fall of 1996 the faculty of social work established a mentorship program for its students. They found that by creating a support system for their students, the likelihood of success in their academic careers increased and the more accessible and inclusive the faculty became.

“In recognizing the potential setbacks a student might go through in their studies, not only on an academic level but also on a personal one, you have to provide the proper support system to help keep them on their feet or lend them a hand if they fall,” said Colleen Watters, the mentorship program co-ordinator.

Watters is involved in developing a workshop that will invite all other faculties to introduce mentorship programs, demonstrating the benefits not only to students, but faculties as a whole. The workshop will be held in January featuring guest speaker Liza Arnason, program co-ordinator for the Tri-Mentoring Program at Ryerson University.

The Tri-Mentoring Program at Ryerson was created in 2000 for their culturally diverse student body to help them attain their personal goals, academic aims and career ambitions. Students who are studying English as a second language, aboriginal students, international students, visible minorities, and disability groups are encouraged to sign up for the program in their first year.

Over the past six years the mentoring program at Ryerson has gone from 60 students to over 1,700 and as Sophia Stanberry, the program facilitator said, “the continual growth is astronomical.”

“If the faculty of social work can get together with all the other faculties in the university to form a united mentorship program, students have a much better chance of succeeding,” said Joan Churley, a social work professor.

The plan is to construct a mentoring program that is organized into two levels. The primary level will be a general resource for students in their first year adjusting to university life. The second level will be for specific faculties and career challenges.

“We want to work towards sustainability in mentorship programs right now, and that means we need to find a steady source of financial backing as well,” said Watters.

Currently a Canadian Heritage Grant (CHG) and resources from the faculty of social work are funding the mentorship initiative. In March of 2007 the CHG funding will conclude, and the program is in search for new support.

“The idea of a mentorship program is a good one,” commented Kelsey Borys, a second-year science student. “Students, especially those who aren’t studying in their native country or those that are having trouble adapting need a place to go, but if the awareness stays the same about theses programs they aren’t going to see much involvement.”