View source for Illinois State University Women's Mentoring Network

'''Type''': Program

'''Status''': Ongoing

'''Source File''': http://www.mentoringnetwork.ilstu.edu/

'''Description''':

'''MISSION STATEMENT'''<br>
To provide support and information to women students beginning (or returning to) college after an interruption in their formal education. Mentors are female professionals on campus who wish to create a welcoming environment for these students in an effort to ease the transition into higher education.

'''A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY'''<br>
In Fall 2003, a group of university employees placed an ad in a campus publication to gauge interest in forming a mentoring network for female nontraditional students. As a result 27 university women mentored 41 nontraditional students. Many mentors in the group were once nontraditional students themselves and they understand the interests of nontraditional students.

<blockquote>'''Teri Farr''' Assistant to Department Chair, Sociology & Anthropology: <i>"Back when we created the WMN, we knew there was a need for nontraditional women students to feel a part of ISU and be comfortable on campus. Little did we know how great the need was! I love connecting with our students and other mentors...learning from each other, and encouraging students to continue their studies and graduate from ISU. As an alumnus, I feel a strong bond and connection to our campus and community. I just wanted our students to be offered and afforded the same opportunities that I had...a chance to connect with faculty, staff and other students and to be given out of classroom learning opportunities that enrich their college experience.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote><i>As a mentor, I hope I've given support and advice to my mentees that they will remember and learn from. My mentees have given me a chance to "pay it forward" the way my mentors did in the past for me. Returning to college as an older person can sometimes be overwhelming and its a privilege to be able to provide a shoulder and be a cheerleader for students at ISU."</i></blockquote>

[[Category:Colleges]]
[[Category:Illinois]]
[[Category:Programs]]
[[Category:Women and Gender]]