First-Generation Mentorship Program

                                                                             

Program Purpose:

L&C’s First-Generation Mentorship Program aims to bridge the generational gap by supporting our first-generation college students and/or any student who they believe will benefit from our first-generation programming. By sharing insider knowledge regarding industries, institutional knowledge of higher education, and navigating complex societal systems; first-generation college students enrolled in our mentorship program will be in the good hands of their mentors and in the community of other first-generation individuals.

Program Outcomes:

• Student mentees will gain guidance around academic and career direction
• Student mentees will develop new skills and relationships
• Student mentees will have someone to lean on for general guidance and support
• Student mentees will get to network with the greater L&C community
• Student mentees will connect with someone who may understand what you’re going through

Students! If you are interested in having a First-Gen Mentor, please complete this link here for the 2024-25 academic year. We will host a kick-off orientation meeting for students in September, more information will be shared to those who sign up!

Defining first-generation - Like any identity, identifying a clear definition is always challenging as each individual is complex and unique. Defining a First-Generation College Student is no different and can be complicated. IME welcomes any student who believes they would benefit from our First-Generation Programs. We encourage you to reach out to IME if you have questions about being First-Generation and/or if you would like to share more about your experience!

How will this work?

• Mentors will be paired with no more than three student mentees.
• Mentors and Mentees should reach out to each other at least once a month (via text, email, phone call, video call, or in person).
• Mentees should reach out to their mentor anytime they are seeking advice, feeling doubt, or have a question but don’t know who to turn to. Whenever they are feeling imposture syndrome. This is a two-way street, so please be proactive in reaching out to your mentor if you want to say hello!
• All participants will be invited to join a community meal.
• Mentees are required to complete a set of tasks each school year (an IME staff member will be tracking each mentee)
  • First-year = Visit the Career Center to learn about resources
  • Second-year = Develop a resume and cover letter with support from Career Center
  • Third-year = Research post-college plans (graduate school, employment, volunteer, internships, travel, etc.).
  • Fourth-year = Conduct 2 informational interviews with organizations they’re interested in.