OMA'S AXcel Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program
The AXcel program is a great opportunity to meet other freshman, as well as interacting with upper-classman who serve as peer-mentors. The AXcel program strives to get first-year underrepresented students connected and informed to all the resources, services, and programs available here at SFA. As well as, offer the necessary assistances in helping students adjust to college. Please make sure to apply. If you have any further questions please email us at oma@sfasu.edu.
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AXcel Mentoring Program
Axcel Peer-2-Peer Mentoring Program Guidelines
Purpose:
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The AXcel Mentoring Program, provided by the Office of Multicultural Affairs is created to support freshmen and transfer students in their transition to student life at Stephen F. Austin State University. The program emphasizes the importance of academic excellence, diversity, leadership and personal growth. In the program, students (mentees) are matched with current student leaders who exhibit a healthy balance between academics and involvement. In addition, each mentee is paired with a successful SFA alumni, faculty or staff member who wishes to support the mentee as well. This peer-to-peer mentoring program sponsors and encourages attendance at specific programs in which mentors and mentees actively interact and participate.
Mission:
- Our overall goal is to help freshman students acclimate to their new community and University. Many times students experience confusion when they arrive in a new environment. They do not know where their classes are, how to navigate the campus, what questions to ask or how to get involved. Therefore, our goals are to:
1. Support students in increasing independent living skills
2. Provide a safe and consistent relationship between students, faculty, and staff
3. Educate freshman students on the stressors of college
4. Develop leaderships skills while promoting academic excellence
5. Increase retention rates among first-year students
6. Provide continuous and relevant training to equip Mentors with resources to effectively assist their mentees
Program Objectives:
By participating in the OMA's P2P Mentoring Program, students will be able to....
1. Appreciate students from diverse backgrounds
2. Demonstrate accountability for their learning experience and academic success
3. Identify key university resources that will assist them in their path to graduation
4. Create relationships with a network of peers, faculty, and staff on campus
5. Effectively practice developmental skills, such as time management, financial literacy, and self-care
6. Have access to personal and professional enrichment opportunities
7. Attend programs in which mentors and mentees actively interact
and participate
Role of Your Mentor:
Peer-Mentor
- A mentor is a student who will offer friendship, help, and advice to a mentee. The mentor has knowledge and experiences in specific areas that a mentee may need help with. Mentors can listen, answer questions, and spend time with their mentees. In this relationship, the mentee will have an easier time acclimating to their new surroundings.
Faculty/Staff-Mentor
- A faculty or staff mentor is a SFA professional who will offer guidance and support to a mentee. The faculty/staff mentor has knowledge and experiences in specific areas that a mentee may need help with. In addition, as an SFA employee, faculty and staff mentors can inform their mentees of the various on and off-campus resources, connect them with other professionals, create opportunities for them, and serve as a point of reference. In this relationship, the mentee will have an easier time acclimating to their new surroundings and feel more comfortable reaching out to other SFA professors and administrators.
Mentee
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A mentee is a freshman or transfer student looking for friendship and guidance from current Lumberjacks and SFA professionals on academic, social, and involvement balance. A good mentee will ask questions, listen, accept good advice, and spend time with their mentor. If done effectively, the mentee will have an easier time acclimating to their new surroundings.