Sponsored by THE WOMEN'S CENTER
in partnership with THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Our Program
Is a formal mentoring program with a structured set of activities designed to develop mentoring relationships between female students and faculty, staff and alumna mentors.  The program includes a matching process, training program, workshops, and recognition for program participants.

Our Purpose
To create a nurturing, personalized environment for female students at Florida International University by providing female students mentoring relationships that build institutional connections, foster a sense of belonging, and develop professional networks and skills to transition to the workplace or graduate studies.

Links to:

• Program Eligibility and Guidelines
• The Mentor's Role
• The Student's Role
• Forms
• Dates/Deadlines

Program Eligibility Guidelines 2008-2009
(deadline to submit involvement forms is Friday, September 19th)

This program is open to all currently-enrolled students, and faculty, staff and alumni of Florida Interantional University. A completed program application is required of all participants. Program participants recognize that the development of a mentoring relationship is a gradual, progressive process. A sense of trust must develop between the mentor and student in order for the relationship to grow. As trust builds, the level of communication between mentor and student also advances. Our program year runs from September 2008 to April 2009.

We ask that participants in this program adhere to the following guidelines in order to create a climate where trust and friendship can grow.

• Attend our Mentoring Partnerships Program Meet and Greet.  The purpose of this program is to meet your partner, and begin the process of developing a mentoring relationship and goals.
• Set goals with your partner about what you wish to accomplish during the duration of the program, is their a project you will create together, a committee you will involve her with, how often will you meet, how will you communicate?
• Be open and honest. Be up front about the limits you want to set for the mentoring relationship in terms of time and personal involvement and communicate these early on to your partner.
• Give positive feedback to each other. Mentors need to hear that they are appreciated as much as students need to know that their achievements and successes are recognized.
• Strive for mutual respect. Return phone and e-mail messages from your partner. Be punctual for scheduled meetings. Give as much notice as possible when you need to cancel plans.
• Be committed to meeting face-to-face with your partner at least once a month throughout the year.  Attend as many sponsored programs as possible.
  
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The Mentor's Role
To inform, advise, and encourage FIU students to define and achieve academic and career goals.

The Mentor:

• Realizes the value of her/his life choices and career experiences.
• Acknowledges the importance of role modeling and personal relationships in empowering a less-experienced student partner who has chosen a similar field of study or career path.
• Introduces and initiates the student partner in the customs, demands and expectations of academic or professional life.
• Acts as a sponsor when possible to assist the student partner with entrance into relevant academic and professional associations and experiences.
• Bridges the student's classroom experiences and their professional futures.
• Benefits from the reciprocal exchange of life experiences with the student partner.
• Derives satisfaction from enabling the student partner to grow and thrive in academic or professional endeavors.
  
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  "I became involved with the women's center program because, I believed in women's issues and women's rights and wanted to make a difference " - Deborah Espana, Alumna, Political Science, past NOW Executive Board member

  
  

The Student's Role
To acquire new knowledge and professional skills, to engage in networking opportunities, and to build long-term academic and professional relationships

The Student:

• Is eager to become involved in an informal learning experience.
• Appreciates the value of a one-to-one exchange of ideas with a more experienced mentor who has succeeded in the professional world.
• Commits time and energy to regular meetings with her/his mentor.
• Articulates advising needs and expectations with her/his mentor.
• Understands that growth and development as an individual begins within the self.
• Is open to advice and suggestions that the mentor makes in the spirit of genuine friendship.
• Gains confidence in her/his own abilities to negotiate successfully through the University and professional environments.
• Enjoys the encouragement and support of a mentor who is truly interested in her/his welfare.
  
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Forms

To become involved in the mentoring program you can access the required forms in any of the following ways:

• Click on the link below, print and fill form out and fax to our office.|
  Fax (UP) 305- 348-3823
  Fax (BBC) 305-919-5607
• Email us at women@fiu.edu and we will send the forms as an attachment
• Stop by either of our offices to pick up a form

• Mentor Form
• Student Involvement Form

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Dates/Deadlines

• Deadline to submit form: September 19th, 2008
• Orientation Sessions: September 25, 2008 at 3-4pm
  UPC - Mentors: GC 305, Mentees: GC 314
  
• Meet & Greet Gala: October 2, 2008 at 6-8:30pm
  UPC - GC Faculty Club
  BBC - WUC 245
• Just Desserts Spring Reception: January 29, 2009 at 6-7:30pm
  UPC - GC Faculty Club
  BBC - WUC 245
• End of the Year Gala: April 2, 2009 at 6-8pm
  UPC - GC Faculty Club
  BBC - WUC 245