College Foundation Mentoring Program

The College Foundation has established a mentoring program that will match interested Foundation Trustees with interested College students. The program builds on the Foundation's ongoing initiatives to find meaningful ways current and emeritus Trustees can support the College and its students.

Goals of the program:

• To provide students a valuable source of personal and career perspective and guidance that enhances what they receive from traditional sources (parents, academic advisors, teachers, coaches, career services organizations, etc.).
• To provide Trustees the opportunity: 1) to become an important link for a student between the undergraduate experience and the numerous post-graduate issues and challenges they will face; and 2) to realize the great personal gratification that comes from making a difference in a young person's life.

Benefits of the program:

• Students benefit from the Foundation Trustees' broad range of occupations, personal interests, experiences, networks and geography - many students would never have the advantage of this sort of support, perspective, advice or network.
• Mentors experience the rewarding and gratifying experience of making a difference in a young person's life and reconnecting with the College through the students
• The program will provide students with a first hand example of the importance, benefits and rewards of alumni giving back and supporting the College.

Mentors do not expect to be surrogate parents, academic advisors, teachers or coaches, or to serve as dedicated employment agencies. The mentor's fundamental role is to be available as an additional source of perspective and advice for the students as they consider the important academic, career and personal issues in their lives. This can be accomplished primarily through phone conversations and e-mails. One of the strengths of the program is that the extent of personal contact and interaction will evolve naturally and be determined by the mentor and the student to suit their individual interests and schedules.

While some mentors have expressed an interest in mentoring students focused on specific careers, the majority are interested in mentoring students that would normally not have the advantages of this type of personal relationship, advice and perspective.

Guidelines for communication:

• Monthly contact/communication between the mentor and student - e-mail, phone etc.
• Personal contact during the year as schedules allow - this could be during a Trustee trip to Charlottesville, a student trip to visit the Trustee or some other convenient venue

All contact and other arrangements will be worked out directly between the individual Trustee and the student at mutually convenient times and venues.