Mentorship during college

CATALYST Mentorship Program

A good mentor can help you find your way, whatever your path.

What is CATALYST?

The CATALYST mentorship program is for undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. If that’s you, read on.

 

How much time and effort should I plan to commit? 

The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of the program and mentorship relationship.

You’ll spend roughly two to three hours each week during each term on CATALYST activities.

This includes:

  • A one-hour meeting with your mentor each month. 
  • Additional learning activities in Canvas.

“Having a professional who believed in me and who could help steer me on the right path toward success was invaluable.

I gained a stronger sense of confidence in my work and a clearer definition of my passions and where they can take me in life.

I believe mentoring can help transition students from their academic life to a more professional self – and provide them with a sounding board to explore their passions and aspirations in a more controlled environment.”

– CATALYST mentee Ryley Martin,
Public Health-Health Management and Policy, ’18
Currently: Senior Data Analyst at Conversa Health

How does it work?

Step 1

Read the CATALYST program handbook.

Step 2

Submit the online application.

Application deadline is September 1. However, current students are encouraged to apply prior to the opening of Fall term registration. Early application and registration will allow for more targeted recruitment of mentors for the coming school year.

In the application you will be asked to select the credit based option (H/KIN 206) or the non-credit option (HHS 002). Please note: HHS 002 cannot be used to fulfill the REAL requirement for Public Health and Kinesiology majors.

Step 3

You will be informed of you acceptance into the program and will be provided with a departmental override to register for either the credit based option (H206 or KIN206) or the non-credit leadership option (HHS 002)

Step 4

Program activities will begin on day one of fall term and will be housed in a Canvas course. Mentor matches will be complete by the end of week 2 of fall term. In addition to weekly personal and professional development topics and activities, mentees and mentors will complete a shared reading in winter term. Book selection will be shared at the beginning of fall term.

Step 5

Mentees initiate contact with their mentor and organize the first meeting. The expectation is to complete weekly activities in Canvas and to arrange a one-hour meeting every month (October through May) for a total of eight meetings. These meetings can occur via Skype, phone calls, email exchanges or in-person meetings. The mentorship partnership may continue beyond the duration of the CATALYST program if both parties wish to continue meeting. Student or mentors who wish to withdraw from CATALYST will need to contact the CATALYST coordinator.

Step 6

Mentees complete program activities throughout the year, and mentors and mentees independently submit a program assessment at the end of the program.

Step 7

Students participating for credit will receive P/NP grades each term, and with a passing grade will earn 1 credit per term. Students participating in non-credit status will receive SC/NSC grades each term and will be visible on official academic transcripts as a leadership experience. Review the completion requirements for additional information.

 

Tips for a successful mentoring experience:

  • Drive the relationship. Get in touch about future meetings and arrange the time/place for phone conversations, Skype or in-person meetings.
  • Be respectful of each other’s time and honor the meetings that you arrange.
  • Be open to constructive feedback. Learning and growing set you up for success.
  • If meeting in a public area or professional setting (such as an office building or coffee shop), keep the safety and comfort of each person in mind. Be cognizant that it is not appropriate to meet at someone’s home.
  • Keep personal or confidential information private. Certain safety-related issues pertaining to sexual assault, violence, child abuse or suicide may be part of required reporting for the University. Mentors and mentees should be aware of this rule; should you choose to discuss safety-related issues in a peer mentoring meeting, you must agree to report them to the CATALYST coordinator.

 

Resources

 

Contact

Gabbi Merales Zott, M.S., ATP
CATALYST coordinator