Acadia's
mentor program helps new students adjust to campus life
For Release: August 30, 2002
(Wolfville,
NS) - When 1200 students enter uncharted territory this
fall, adjusting to their new lives within the Acadia University
community will be made as comfortable as possible. The members of
LINC (Looking into New Choices), Acadia's mentor program, will see
to that.
The program 'links'
senior students with first-year students before they arrive on
campus and creates a mutually beneficial relationship. The
experienced student is able to share their 'Acadia smarts' and learn
new things about themselves as they take on this advisory role. He
or she will gain valuable mentorship experience while the first-year
student gains guidance and a new friend on campus.
"For first-year
students, pairing them with a senior undergraduate student gives
them someone their own age who is eager to answer their questions...
Because LINC leaders are students themselves, they are aware of
helpful resources and the issues that often affect students,"
explains program coordinator Stephanie Timpa.
Students can become
members of LINC at any point during the school year. They can apply
through the on-line application system at
http://linc.acadiau.ca, or
first-year students can mail in the application they received in
their Welcome Week Handbook package. This year all Welcome Week
Leaders are LINC members. They receive job specific leadership
training which encourages the mentoring relationship from the moment
the first-year students arrive.
"As a first-year
student, I found it comforting to have someone to answer my
questions, such as how to find information in the library or how to
get the most out of the sandwich bar at meal hall. It was also
helpful that my mentor and I kept our relationship going even after
the first couple of months of school. It was great to go for a cup
of coffee with someone who had advice on how to make the most of my
time at Acadia, "explains Chantal Pelham, LINC mentor and former
student participant.
This marks the fourth
year of the evolution of LINC, which was developed to make students
aware of their skills and adopt a positive attitude toward future
opportunities. LINC is part of a larger initiative on the Acadia
campus called the Entrepreneurial Skills Development Program, which
encourages students to take an active role in developing their
communication, decision-making, problem-solving, creativity and
leadership skills.
To help students begin
to focus on their academic journey, Acadia University hosts special
Welcome Week activities starting August 31st, continuing through to
September 3rd. New students participate in academic orientations,
"Arrival and Survival" sessions for both students and their families
and healthy relationship sessions, which assist students with the
development of communication skills to support them in dealing with
new university interactions.
-30-
For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia
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