![\"\"](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Janice-Weiland.jpg\" "\\"Janice")
<\/a>\u201cI found out she\u2019d been a non-traditional student, too,\u201d Camelin \u00a0said. \u201cTalking to someone who had \u2018been there and done that\u2019 made me understand that I could do it and that her words were not hollow or empty.\u201d<\/p>\n
January is national mentoring month, a time set to celebrate the power of mentoring and to encourage both mentors and mentees to accept what the other has to offer. Proclaimed by President Barack Obama and backed by the Harvard School of Public Health, mentoring has plenty of supporters nationally and at UCCS.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood,\u201d Obama\u2019s proclamation reads. \u201cBy setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our nation’s youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
And while Camelin gushes about the affect Weiland has had on her life, Weiland is equally positive about the experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI selected her because of her major in economics,\u201d Weiland said. \u201cI was worried that we\u2019d have nothing in common. That hasn\u2019t been a problem. Mostly, I listen. When you\u2019re working with someone who is so highly motivated, being encouraging is easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Weiland and Camelin, mentoring has meant an occasional breakfast meeting and, recently, a trip to a semi-formal University Club dinner where Camelin found herself elbow-to-elbow with Terry Schwartz, associate dean, Graduate School of Public Affairs, and local business leaders.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe (Weiland) has introduced me to people I never would have met,\u201d Camelin said. \u201cThe networking has been incredible but the coolest thing is just being able to talk with her and get her perspective as a local business leader. I\u2019ve made a new friend, one that I know I will keep even after graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many departments at UCCS encourage mentoring relationships. Among the largest are the efforts of the Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community. Through the leadership of Carmen Abeyta, assistant director, dozens of students have been paired with staff and faculty members in mentoring relationships.<\/p>\n
As shining examples of campus mentors, Abeyta cited Julie Albertson, senior instructor, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Josephine Benavidez, director, Pre-Collegiate Development Program, Kirsten Bartholomew Ortega, assistant professor, Department of English, Sylvia Martinez, assistant professor, College of Education, and Al Schoffstall, professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UCCS Mentoring Program began approximately eight \u00a0years ago under the leadership of Anthony Cordova and Jesse Perez,\u201d Abeyta said. \u201cThere were ten staff and faculty mentors initially. That\u2019s and grown to nearly 150 mentors to date while pairing hundreds of mentors and mentees over the years. Mentors range from professionals in various student service departments to faculty from within every college at UCCS.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mentoring at UCCS is not limited to staff and faculty.<\/p>\n
The program has partnered with the UCCS Alumni and Friends Association and with Barbara Gaddis and Ellen Pettijohn of the Office of First Year Experience. Gaddis and Pettijohn advise the UCCS Peer Mentor Club so students can mentor each other.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UCCS Mentoring Program is always in need of new mentors,\u201d Abeyta said.<\/p>\n
Those interested in volunteering or receiving more information should contact Abeyta at\u00a0cabeyta@uccs.edu<\/a> or 255-3447.<\/p>\n For tips about mentoring, view:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/p>\n