Thanks to the help of an anonymous donor, the Student Advising and Mentorin Center has announced the creation of a new award.
Partnering with the University, the donation has created the SHSU Mentoring Award Fund, giving one mentor and one mentee a reward of $1,000 each.
SAM Center representative Candi Harris explains the nomination process.
“If a staff member wants to nominate someone, they should submit a one page essay on why the student should be chosen,” Harris said. “If the student wants to nominate their mentor, they need to submit a one page essay on why [they should be nominated].”
Once the nominations have been turned in, then a selected committe reviews the entries. The committe consists of Director of the McNair Program, Dr. Lydia Fox; Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Drew Miller; Coordinator for MISS, Donie Miller; SAM Center representative, Candi Harris; and one McNair scholar who will be chosen.
Upon determining the winners for the awards, a small reception will then be held to recognize all participants and winners.
Harris notes that even though one mentor and mentee will be recognized, they do not necessarily have to be a pair.
“The student that wins isn’t necessarily belonging to the mentor that wins. The two winners are distinctly chosen,” Harris said.
Also, it is important to note that the mentee or mentor do not have to belong to a distinct mentor group.
“They don’t have to be in SAM mentors. It could be very casual, such as having a student and a professor has taken them under their wing,” Harris said.
This is the first year for the award.
Anyone wishing to turn in a nomination can do so at the SAM Center in CHSS suite 190.
The SAM Center will be accepting nominations until April 15, 2010 and the winners will be chosen the week of April 26.