More Amarillo College students are able to get extra help through expanded mentoring services. For the past five years, mentoring has been offered to all students participating in the Achievement through Commitment to Education program, which allows graduates from certain high schools to qualify to get their college tuition, fees and books paid for through ACE. Along with the original mentoring program, AC now offers a new community mentor program. The program began last year and is on a trial run. It is open to all students, not just ACE students. The program allows students to have an opportunity to job-shadow, network and gain insight about their prospective careers. The community program also works in conjunction with the Rotary Club and the Amarillo Women’s Network. Students in the community mentor program will be called “proteges,” and mentors will be called “community coaches.” They will be professionals in the Amarillo community who are willing to provide hands-on insight into their careers. Community coaches will review their proteges’ resumes and interact with them monthly through face-to-face meetings, emails, phone calls and/or text messages. Mentoring is designed to help new students make the transition to college as well as guide them throughout the year. Dr. Dan Ferguson, dean of liberal arts, said he supports the philosophy behind the program and enjoys working with students. “I connect them with the right resources,” Ferguson said. “I encourage them. I provide someone for them to go to if they need any kind of help.” The program provides assistance to 120 students on average. About half of the participants are just starting college. Each January, ACE scholars visit AC and are given the opportunity to sign up to have a mentor.“On average, ACE Scholars who work with a coach tend to earn higher GPAs and continue on to success at Amarillo College and beyond,” said Susie Regan, mentoring program coordinator. In April, Regan visits schools and speaks to ACE students about the mentor program, giving students another opportunity to sign up. In May, students register and meet with their mentors. “I think that college can be overwhelming. It’s good to have someone in your corner who has been through it,” Ferguson said. Chemistry major Jisela Barrera said she has enjoyed having a mentor.“My mentor showed me around classes before the semester started, and we go out to eat sometimes and just talk about school and daily life,” Barrera said. “She’s given me advice on things. It’s pretty nice to have someone there for you when you need them.” Computer science major Kien Phan said having a mentor has been helpful. “Dr. Ferguson has helped me with a lot and made sure I am prepared,” Phan said. There are more than 100 mentors at AC. They are referred to as “coaches,” and the students are called “champions.” Regan not only matches students with their mentors, but she is a mentor herself. She encourages students to keep in touch with their mentors even after the first year is over. “College can be overwhelming, and many of our students have doubts about themselves,” Ferguson said. “They just need a little help like this program, and they will be fine.” Regan said the college also plans to start a peer mentoring program in which students serve as guides for other students. That program is expected to begin next fall. To sign up for the mentoring program and get more information, go to www.actx.edu/mentor/communitymentoring.com
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