The Sankofa Mentoring Program
The philosophy of the Sankofa Peer Mentoring Program is guided by Sankofa, an Akan (Ghana, West Africa) word that means, “We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward to understand why and how we came to be who we are today.”

The Sankofa bird looks back believing that one must return to reflect on the past in order to move forward. Each of us comes to college hoping to grow and learn in a number of exciting ways. Yet, college can be a very challenging place to learn. You often miss your family, friends, cats and dogs - a way of life.

The Sankofa Mentoring Program is designed to assist students from diverse backgrounds as they enter this transition. As you move forward, you generally have insight into the operations” of campus life. As a community that grows together, we challenge you to reach back and grab a hold of someone else’s hand and assist him or her with their new journey.

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Our Mission
The mission of the Sankofa Mentoring program is to provide effective mentoring relationships that are reciprocal, particularly for first-generation college students and other students from diverse backgrounds, including but not exclusively ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and language difference. It is our goal to help all students achieve academic, intellectual and social balance.

The program provides support and encouragement in this process, in order for everyone who participates to gain access to information, inspiration, ideas and new ways of doing things. The Sankofa Mentoring Program is looking for mentors who will be effective in encouraging their mentees to embrace openness to different ideas & perspectives and new experiences, while serving as a guide through the transition into college life.

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What does Sankofa require of me?

As a Sankofa Mentor, you are expected to:
0 Continue developing your talents and career goals
0 Make time to spend with your mentee
0 Share your own experiences with your mentee in a supportive and helpful way
0 Strive towards your own personal growth
0 Be open to new and different ideas & perspectives
0 Act as a role model, confidant and sounding board
0 Assist as a liaison/networker to connect your mentee with on-campus resources (when possible and as appropriate)
0 Provide support and respect
0 Assist and encourage your mentee in expanding their way of thinking, networks, academic success, and communication skills (when possible)
0 Alleviate of confusion & alienation as a new student on a new campus.
0 Enhance academic performance.
0 Smooth transition and acclimation to the university campus and community
0 Acquire increased skills to be able to network with peers and professionals.
0 Obtain increased awareness of the value of interdependence and self advocacy.
0 Provide the tools needed to have a successful college experience.
0 Introduce to positive role models who are students as well as professionals.
0 Increase awareness of the campus resources.
0 Increase awareness and understanding of their student rights.

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What are the benefits of being a Sankofa Mentor?
0 Demonstrate a commitment to personal and academic development of self and mentees.
0 Afforded the opportunity to have a positive impact on mentees' success and achievements
0 Acquire an increased appreciation for people of diverse backgrounds.
0 Assist mentees in becoming acclimated to the campus community and aware of campus resources
0 Assist mentees in avoiding common academic, social, and personal pitfalls.
0 Enhance leadership and coaching skills.
0 Provides intrinsic satisfaction (makes you feel good) by helping an emerging new student develop to his/her potential.
0 Ability to lead mentees to a higher level of thinking.

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How do I get started?

To get started, each student mentee is paired based on academic and extracurricular interests. You are then encouraged to meet as often as possible and engage in a number of activities together. You are not necessarily expected to become best friends, but it is our desire that you will become partners in this academic and social journey.
We encourage you to have lunch or dinner together, take in a movie, and study together. You should be a part of one another’s support systems.
It is our desire that you will enjoy this process as much as possible and will continue to reach back and support those coming behind you. 

Sankofa mentoring means success!

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