Mentoring

University College is very proud of its large corps of student mentors—undergraduates who work in a variety of programs to enhance the learning experiences of IU Indianapolis students. All University College student mentors are awarded scholarships in recognition of the tremendous work they do on behalf of the IU Indianapolis student body. The mentors are carefully trained for their specific mentoring roles, and they also enroll in courses throughout their mentoring experiences designed to help them enhance their academic service. The descriptions below provide specific information about the work of the University College student mentors.

The OTEAM is a group of undergraduate students who lead the summer orientation programs and mentor in the first-year seminar courses during the fall and spring semesters. OTEAM members receive the University College Leadership Scholarship for their service to the campus community.

The interactive orientation day is facilitated by the positive, fun, and knowledgeable OTEAM. The role of an orientation leader is to assist new and transfer students along with their guests through the orientation day. Orientation leaders help students acquire their ID cards, verify their technology accounts, explore the campus, learn about the Office of Student Involvement, participate in advising workshops, and register for classes. 

Visit Orientation to learn more.

First-year seminar mentors are members of the instructional team for the course. The mentor's role is to serve as a role model for the new students enrolled in the course. The student mentor helps to introduce new students to resources, expectations, successful academic habits, and the campus community.

Voluntary mentoring

Voluntary mentoring sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. Voluntary mentoring is a free program designed to enhance study time and to raise grades while students work collaboratively with peers.

Students who participate in voluntary mentoring will:

• Develop learning skills to enhance their academic experience
• Learn processes and methodologies for effective learning (e.g., learning strategies, note-taking skills, listening skills)
• Enrich their understanding of course content

Mandatory mentoring

Mandatory mentoring is an exciting and unique program that combines the idea of what to learn with how to learn through weekly sessions led by a fellow student who has already demonstrated the ability to perform well in the course. By facilitating collaborative learning sessions, mentors help students develop study skills and master course content. Mandatory mentoring is a 1.25 hours-per-week session. Students are automatically signed up for these sessions upon registering for the corresponding course. Students will see this session labeled as a recitation for the course.

Students who participate in mandatory mentoring will:

• Acquire knowledge and skills and develop characteristics necessary for future academic success
• Receive content-specific background information to assist them in making connections to the homework and lectures for the course

Resource Center mentors

Resource mentors serve as empathetic listeners to student concerns and advocates for IU Indianapolis students. The mentors are trained in the interviewing skills necessary to make them active, helpful, and nonjudgmental listeners. They work one on one with individual students, empowering them in their quest to succeed academically and socially. Furthermore, mentors conduct thorough, ongoing follow-ups with all students after the initial contact. Mentors provide students with resources to help them determine their individual learning styles and make subsequent suggestions. In addition, mentors refer students to other campus resources such as academic advising, University Writing Center, Speaker’s Lab, Office of Student Involvement programs, Office of International Affairs, and Counseling and Psychological Services. Mentors also encourage students to interact with instructors and departmental staff.

Visit the Bepko Learning Center to learn more.