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A great college experience star ts with a great first year

K-STATE.EDU/GPS

GUIDE MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GPS program introduction 3

Welcome 3

Program description and history 4

Program goals 4

Mentoring snapshot 4

Introduction to mentoring 5

The role of a mentor 5

Mentoring benefits 6

Guidelines for mentoring success 6

General rules to remember 6

Setting boundaries that work 7

Program expectations and communication guidelines 9

Guide expectations 9

Pre-arrival contact 9

First in-person meeting 10

Connecting within GPS 10

GPS connect events 10

Connecting on and off campus 11

Conversation points throughout the year 11

What if...? 13

Impact 14

Works consulted 14

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SECTION 1: An Introduction to the Guide to Personal Success (GPS) Program

Welcome!Thank you for participating in the GPS

program as a guide and mentor for first-year students at K-State. We hope that you

find the mentor relationship to be both fulfilling and enlightening. Guides play

an important role in helping first-year students achieve at K-State by providing a personalized connection to the University.

The purpose of this manual is to provide you with an introduction to mentoring

and guidelines for success within the GPS program. Enjoy and thank you again!

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As a K-State First Program, GPS shares many of the same program goals.

The K-State First program aims to:• fostercampuscommunityandfeelingsofbelonging• offeropportunitiesfordiverseactivitiesandinteractions• raiseacademicexpectationswithengagementandcompassion• empowerstudentswithastrongsenseofpersonalresponsibilityandsocialagency

WithinK-StateFirst,theGPSprogramhasonemajorgoal:toenrichthecollegeexperiencesoffirst-yearstudentsbyconnectingthemwithoutstandingK-Stateprofessionals.

Inaddition,theGPSprogramstrivesto:• introducefirst-yearstudentstotherestofthecampuscommunity• createanenvironmentthatfostersstudentsuccess• increaseretentionratesforfirst-yearstudents

“Mentoring is neither passive nor academic—you want to engage and involve your mentees, learn with them and be transformed by the experience as well.” – Tim Elmore, author of Life Giving Mentors

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Program Description and HistoryGPSisK-StateFirst’sfreshmanmentoringprogram.ThisprogrammatchesK-Statefaculty,staffandgraduatestudentswithfirst-yearstudentsforaone-on-onementoringrelationship.Thesecampusprofessionalsarereferredtoasguidesbecausetheyprovideguidanceandsupporttotheirmentees.TheGPSprogramisopentoallfirst-yearstudents,andmenteesarecarefullymatchedwithaguide.Guidesareencouragedtoconnectwithmenteesbothontheirown,orthroughmonthly“connect”eventshostedbytheGPSprogram.

AdaptedfromasimilarprogramatGeorgeWashingtonUniversityin2009,theGPSprogramwasoriginallyhousedintheOfficeofStudentActivitiesatKansasStateUniversity.In2011theGPSprogrambecamepartofK-StateFirst.

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Mentor when neededWithintheGPSprogram,therewillbesomementeeswhorelyontheirmentorsonlywhentheyneedsomething.Typically,guidesrespondbygivingadvice,directingmenteestousefulservices,orbysharingtheirownsimilarexperiences.Althoughitisbesttostayconnectedthroughallseasonsofastudent’sfirstyear,somestudentsdonotfullyunderstandthevalueofthistypeofmentorrelationship.Inthissituation,werecommendthatmentorsremainpatientandreadytoreopenthelinesofcommunicationwhentheirmenteeapproacheswithaneedorquestion.

Lifelong friendThisisoftentherolethatonemightenvisionforamentor/menteerelationship.Thementorasalifelongfriendgrowswiththementee,andtherelationshipdevelopsasthementeeages.Thementormightinvitehermenteetoherhome,keepintouchthroughlettersafterhermenteeleavescollege,orcollaborateonscholarship.

AdvisorTheGPSprogramenvisionsstaff,facultyand

graduatestudentmentorsasexperiencedprofessionalswhocanprovideadviceand

guidancetofirst-yearstudents.Asadvisors,guideshelpnewstudentsnavigatecomplex

orunfamiliarsituations.Anadvisormightgiveguidancebasedonhisorherownexperience,

offersuggestions,orconnectmenteeswithrelevantprogramsorservices.Asanon-campus

professional,manyGPSguideswillhavetheknowledgeandexperiencetodirectnew

studentstoprogramsoncampusorusetheirownexperiencetogivedirectiontomentees.

Coach Coachespushtheirmenteestosucceedbyofferingconstructivefeedback,meaningfulpraise,andpersonalobservationsorinsights.Acoachhelpsmenteesrecognizeandhonestrengthswhileguidingmenteestoprogramsorintereststhatwillallowthesestrengthstoflourish.Acoachpushesmenteestosucceedandprovidesthesupportandencouragementamenteemightneedtofeelmotivatedorempowered.Muchlikeathleticcoaches,mentoringcoacheshaveacloserelationshipwiththeirmentee(s)thatisformedaroundasharedinterestorgoal.GPSguideswhoactlikecoachesmightencouragementeestoapplyforajoborjoinanewclub.Coachingisallaboutprovidingthesupportmenteesneedtofeelencouragedtotrynewopportunities.

Professional connection Somementorsinteractwiththeirmentees

primarilyasprofessionalconnections,keepingallinteractionsfairlyformal.Thisisoftenvery

usefulforfirst-yearstudentsnewtothecampuscommunityandeagertomakeprofessional

connectionsthatwillhelpthemfindopportunitiesandorganizationsmatchingtheirinterests.Asprofessionalswell-connectedtotheuniversity,GPSguidesarepositionedtoconnect

studentswithprogramsandorganizationsthattheymightbeunfamiliarwith.Inaddition,

somementeesfindthattheirmentorscandirectthemtoopenjobpositions,connectthemwithanotherprofessionalthatsharestheirinterests,

oractasareference.

M E N T O R A S A . . .

The Role of a MentorServingaseverythingfromaneducatortoacoach,mentorshavetheopportunitytoenrichthelifeofayoungpersonbycultivatinganindividual,personalconnection.Similarly,GPSguidesactasmentorsfortheirmentees,shapinginterests,helpingtofindcareerorlifepaths,usingwisdomtogivesoundadviceandsometimesjustbeingagoodlistener.

SECTION 2: Introduction to Mentoring

Mentorslooktoconnectandgrowalongsidetheirmentees.Mentorsseekouttheirmenteesandactivelydiscovernewwaystoengageandconnect.Thismeansseeingtherelationshipasmorethanjust“helping”thementee,butasarelationshipwherebothpeoplegrowovertime.WithintheGPSprogram,thisgrowthisconcentratedinthefirstyearofthestudent’scollegejourney.

Althoughmentoringisoftenapersonalchoicethatgrowsoutofaconnectionwithanindividual,theGPSprogramhopestocultivateanenvironmentwherementor-typeconnectionswithstudentscandevelop.ReadontolearnaboutsomecommonrolesthatmayrelatetoyourupcomingexperienceasaguidewithintheGPSprogram.

Mentoring SnapshotGenerally,theroleofaGPSguideistoprovideguidanceandsupporttotheirmentee(s).AGPSguideisdifferentfromanacademicadvisor;mentorsareencouragedtoconnectwithmenteesbeyondjustacademics.Mentorshaveknowledgeofcampusresourcesandcanconnectstudentsinatimelyandtargetedmanner.Inthepast,guideshaveusedtheirconnectionsandexperiencestoshareinformationabouteverythingfromgrocerystorerecommendationstointernshipideas!

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The Benefits of MentoringMentoringbenefitsthementee,thementorandtheUniversitybyfosteringhighlevelsofengagement.Aseachmentee-mentorrelationshipisdifferent,eachindividualintheprogramwillexperienceuniquebenefits.

Althoughmanypeoplebelievethatmenteesgainthemostfromamentoringrelationship,mentorshavealottogainaswell.Herearesomeofthebenefitsyoumightexperience:

Moreover,mentoringgivesguidesaccesstoafulfillinginterpersonalconnectionwithnewK-Statestudents.Mentoringbenefitsmentees,too.Menteesoftenremarkonhowmuchtheylearnfromtheirmentor,orhowtheirconnectionwithGPShasintroducedthemtonewpeopleandlocations.Somebenefitsformenteesinclude:

Thesebenefitsarejustthebeginning.Somementor/menteerelationshipsextendpastthefirstyearandbecomelong-termfriendships.Othersoffermeaningfulguidanceforastudent’sfirstyearatanewuniversity.Nomatterthelevelofconnection,eachmentor-menteeconnectionisdifferentandhasitsownuniquebenefits.

Guidelines for Mentoring SuccessAlthoughthereisnorulebookformentoring,therearecertainguidelinesthatwillenableguidestobesuccessful.TheguidelinesprintedbelowaregreatgeneralremindersforGPSparticipantsandareusefultipsformentoringsuccess.

• Exposuretotheemergingtalent pool

• Ongoingattentiontoyourown careerdevelopment

• Satisfactionfromimpartingwisdom andexperiencetoothersinthe professionwithoutahugetime commitment

• Universitysuccess.In2011,93 percentofGPSparticipantswho joinedGPSinthefallre-enrolledin thespringsemester.

• Accesstoaprofessionalnetwork.

• Anopportunitytomakea connectionthatcanopendoorsto futureopportunities.

• Supportnavigatinganewuniversity.

• Individualinteractionwitha universityprofessional.

• Exposuretonewexperiencesand pointsofview.

• Enhancementofcoaching, mentoring,leadershipand managementskills

• Thechancetobeexposedto diversityofthought,style, personalityandculture

• Awaytorecruitemployeesforthe mentor’sdepartmentorareaof interest

• Feedbacklooptostudentsand programregardingcurriculum needs

• Awayto”giveback”toK-State

• Connectionswithnewcolleagues oncampus

• Alastingcareernetwork

• Besureyouareclearabouthow oftenyouwillcommunicate; whetheritwillbebyphone, email,Facebook,textmessaging.

• Makecontactfrequently,especially duringthefirstfewweekstobuilda trustingrelationship.

• Followupwhenyoumakea commitmenttogetinformation,take action,etc.

• Beappreciativeofyourmentee;learn hisorherstrengthsandseekoroffer adviceinareasofstrength.

• Workhardtomaketherelationship atwo-waystreet.Sharing responsibilityforsettinguptimesto meetisjustoneexample.

• Beflexibleandenjoytheexperience.

“My GPS mentor has helped me get a job as a tour guide for K-State. Also I used her as a reference for a job as a Wildcat Warm-Up counselor. It’s really nice for on-campus jobs because if they see that the person is K-State faculty or staff they know they are a reliable source.” — Kimberly, former GPS Mentee

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General Rules to RememberTheGPSprogramrecognizesthateverymentor-menteeconnectionwillhavedifferentgoalsandboundaries,butwehopethattheseguidelineswillhelpstarttodevelopyourrelationship.

Communication Communicationisanessentialpartofanyrelationship,anditisveryimportanttokeepthelinesofcommunicationopenwithyourmentee(s).Thismeanscontactingyourmenteeearlyandoftentomakesureyouareonthesamepage.Regularcontactwillensurethatyouarebothcomfortablewithhowoftenyouaremeeting,theeventsyouattend,andyourcommunications throughtechnology.

Guidescommunicatewiththeirmenteesinavarietyofways.SomeguidesconnectwithmenteesthroughemailorsocialmediaapplicationssuchasFacebook,TwitterorLinkedIn.Othersgiveoutnumberstotheirhomecellphones,forcallingandtexting. Communicationstyleandpreferenceisagreatthingtodiscussinpersonthefirsttimeyoumeet.

Moreover,weencourageguidestocommunicatewiththeGPSprogramaswell.Ifyouwouldliketocontacttheprogramshareinformationaboutyourmentee/mentorrelationship,thereareseveralresourcesavailabletoyou.First,youcancontacttheprogramcoordinator,whocanoffernewperspectivesoradvice.Second,GPSguidesarewelcometoconnectwithotherprogramparticipantsincludingotherguideswithintheirownnetworks.Sharingstoriesandcommunicationisonewaytogainnewideasaboutconnectingwithyourmentee.

Blame-free relationshipItispossible,forwhateverreason,thatamentorandamenteewillnotconnect.Onefailedconnectiondoesnotmeanthatyouarenotagoodmentor.Someguidesworrythattheyarefailingiftheyarenotclosefriendswiththeirmentee(s).Thisisnotthecase;manymenteesarelookingforguidanceandsupport,notjustfriendship.Youcanstillbeagreatguidewithoutbeingaclosefriendofyourmentee.Concernscanbeaddressedand,ifnecessary,relationshipsre-builtwithoutblamebeingassignedbycontactingtheprogramcoordinatortodiscussyourmentoringrelationship. Professionalism AsaGPSguideyouarerepresentingtheUniversitytoyourmentees.Youlanguage,responsestyle,appearanceanddemeanorwillallmakeanimpressionandlikelyaverypositiveone!Pleasekeepprofessionalisminmindandofcourse,useyourbestjudgmentwhencommunicatingandconnectingwithyourmentees.

Have Fun!Oneofthebenefitsofparticipatinginthisprogramisthatyouhavetheopportunitytoconnectwithfirst-yearstudentsinavarietyofways.Thinkcreativelywhenplanningyourtimetogether-thepossibilitiesareendless!

Setting Boundaries that WorkBoundariesareimportantforanyrelationship;theykeepbothpartiesfeelingrespected,valuedandcomfortable.Asguides,thecreationofboundariesisataskthatmightfalltoyou.

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TheGPSprogramsuggeststhatyouandyourmentee(s)talkaboutboundariesrelatedtothefollowing:

• Time,length,andfrequencyofmeetings• Communicationinbetweenyourmeetings• Areastotalkaboutandworkon• Whenyoumightreferyourmentee(s)tosomeoneelseforadditional assistance• Stylepreferences(e.g.,howeachofyouwouldliketogiveandreceive feedback,howyouprefertocommunicate,punctualityhabits)• Physical/touchboundaries(What’scomfortable?Areeachofyou huggers…ornot?)• Gifts/Eventpayment

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Here are some examples of boundary–related circumstances you might face and how our program recommends you handle them (depending on the boundaries you’ve already set, of course). Your mentee(s)…

Missed your scheduled time to connect twice in a row and didn’t notify you that he/she wouldn’t make it.Viayourmentee’spreferredformofcommunication,youmightsay:

Asks if they could come over to your house.Ifyouprefernottohaveyourmenteesovertoyourhomeyoumightsaysomethinglike:“Wemightconsiderdoingthatlater,thanksforsuggestingit!Fornow,I’dliketocontinuemeetingon-campusifthat’sOK?”Ifyouarecomfortablehaveyourmenteesover,guidesarewelcometohoststudentsintheirhomeforamealorotheractivity.

Tells you about personal struggles he/she has been facing.“I’mgladyoutrustedmeenoughtosharethatwithme,thankyou.YouknowIcareaboutyou,andIwantyoutofindsomeonewhocanhelpyoumakethenextstepsrelatedtothisconcern.Whohaveyoutalkedtoalready?Wouldyoubecomfortablevisitingwith_________________?”

Asks you a very personal question.“I’dprefertokeepthattopicofflimitsbetweenus.”

Calls or texts you at 2 a.m. to talk.“Isthisanemergency?(Ifnot)Ipreferwedoourtalkingduringtheday”or“Please,nomorecallsbefore9a.m.andafter9p.m.”Decidewhatyouwantyourroletobeinthecaseofanemergency,whichwouldbeextremelyrareifitoccursatall.

Gives you a hug.Ifyou’recomfortable,hugback.Ifnot,youcanthankthemforthehugandletthemknowyou’renotcomfortablewithhuggingforthefuture.

Asks you to take care of setting up his/her spring class schedule.“I’mgladyou’reexcitedforyoursecondsemesteratK-StateandIknowenrollingforthefirsttimeonyourowncanbeabittricky.Haveyoumetwithyouracademicadvisor?Iamhappytoprovidesomeassistancebuttheyarethebestpersontomakesureyouareenrollinginthebestclassesforyourmajor.Also,theycanprovideyouwithhelpfulinstructionsabouttheonlineenrollmentprocess.Doyouknowhowtoreachyouradvisor?CanIhelpyousetupameeting?”

“Hithere.Justcheckingintoseehowthingsaregoingforyou.Iwentto__________yesterdayat_____a.m./p.m.tomeetyoulikewe’dplannedbutIdidn’tseeyouthere.Itseemslikeyou’rehavingaprettybusymonthseeingasthatlasttimetoconnectdidn’tworkouteither.Iunderstandhowtrickyschedulingcanbecomewhenyouhavesomuchonyourplate.Doyouthinknexttime,ifyouhaveanotherconflict,youcouldsendmeatextorgivemeacalltoletmeknowyoucan’tmakeit?

I’dliketocatchupsoon.Howdoesyourschedulelookfortherestofthemonth?Arethereanyopendateswherewecanmeet?

Ihopetohearfromyousoonandamlookingforwardtoconnecting!

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Guide ExpectationsTheGPSprogramisstructuredyetflexible.Allmentorsareaskedtomeetthreebasicprogramexpectations:

SECTION 3: Program Expectations and Communication Guidelines

Pre-Arrival Contact OneoftheuniquewaysthatGPSguidesconnectwiththeirmentee(s)isbycontactingthembeforetheyarriveon-campus.Guidesareencouragedtowriteahandwrittennotewelcomingtheirmentee(s)andintroducingthemselves.Youwillreceiveyourmentee(s)homeaddresswhentheirprofileinformationissenttoyouandcanevenrequestaK-Statepostcardfromtheprogramcoordinator!

Thisinitialcontacthelpstokeeptheprogrampersonalandinvitesstudentsintoacomfortableenvironmentrightoffthebat.Yourmentee(s)willbeexcitedtohearfromyouandyournotewillsurelycalmtheanxietythatmanyexperiencepriortotheirarrivaloncampus.

AllpersonalnotesshouldbesentbythefirstorsecondweekofAugust,toensurethatstudentsreceivethempriortotheirmovetoManhattan.

Hereisanexampleoftextyoumightconsiderincludinginyourmenteepersonalnote(s):

Forsome,theseexpectationsareeasilymetandsometimesevenexceeded.Inthefall,75%oftheGPSguidesurveyrespondentsreportedtheyhadalreadymettheirstudent(s)threeormoretimes—exceedingthesemesterprogramrequirementsonlytwomonthsintotheschoolyear!

Hello!

I am looking forward to getting to know you this

year and am especially excited to meet you when you

arrive on campus later this month. I hope your final

preparations go smoothly. I’m sure you have a lot to do!

Please look for an email from me in your K-State

account within the next couple of weeks. I’d like to

set-up a time to grab ice cream or coffee during your

first week of classes!

Sincerely,

Derek

Connectin-personwithyourmentee(s)aminimumof

three times per semester

3Ifpossible,attendone

GPSsponsored“connect”eventoverthecourseof

theyear

Filloutabriefprogramsurveyeachsemester

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First Person-to-Person MeetingThefirstin-personmeetingisveryexciting!Ifyouareavailabletoattendthefirstconnectevent,wewelcomeyoutomeetyourmenteethereforthefirsttime.Guidesarealsohighlyencouragedtoset-upaninformalmeetingon-campuswiththeirmenteesduringthefirstweekofschool.Connectingatthebeginningoftheyearwillmakeallthedifferencetoyourstudents!

Agoodtipfornavigatingthefirstmeetingistoaskquestions.Atthispointyou’veideallysentahandwrittennoteandmaybeanemailortwo,butthisisthetimetoreallystartgettingtoknoweachother!Askaboutfamily,friends,classes,livingsituations—thingsthatwillreallyhelpyougettoknowthemandkeeptheconversationgoing.

Also,rememberthatthefirstmeetingisagreattimetosetupboundariesandestablishacommunicationplanforthesemester.Herearesomeideasforpointstocoverinthefirstconversation:

Get-to-know-you questions:

Tell me about your move to campus! Who have you met? What activites have you found?

How do you feel about your course schedule? Have you found your classes?

How are you planning to be involved on-campus?

Logistical concerns:

How would you like to schedule meetings in the future?

How often would you like to meet?

Do you want to meet here again or would you like to try somewhere new?

Don’t forget to let your mentee(s) ask you questions! Allowing them to get to know you at the beginning can really put them at ease.

SECTION 4: Connecting with GPS

GPS Connect EventsTheGPSprogramoffersexcitingmonthly“connect”events.Theseeventsaretypicallyfreeorverylowcost,accessible/schedule-friendlyandspecializedtoofferbothyouandourstudentsaVIPexperience.Inthepast,someconnecteventshaveincluded:

Attendanceatconnecteventsisnotrequiredbutencouragedaseventsworkwithyourschedule.Additionally,guidesandmenteescanattendtheseeventsindependentoftheirGPScounterpartifschedulesdonotalignforbothindividualstoattend.Connecteventsaregreatopportunitiestomeetwithmenteesinafun,interactiveenvironment.Theseeventsalsoallowmenteestomingleandgettoknownewpeopletoaddtotheirprofessionalnetwork.Theseeventswillbeadvertisedthroughemail,sobesuretocheckyourinboxregularlyforupcomingconnectevents.InformationisalsopostedtotheGPSFacebookpage:facebook.com/ksugps.

• Reservedseatsatawomen’sbasketballgamewithapre- gamediscussionhostedbyK-State’sathleticsdirector.

• Aneveningofdonuts,boardgamesandping-pongat VarsityDonutsinAggieville.

• AholidayreceptionandconcertatMcCainAuditoriumwitha touroftheorchestrapitandmeetingwiththeconductor.

• Anoutdoorluncheventwithimproventertainment.

“The GPS program organizes fun events that offer me a chance to catch up with my mentees at locations on campus that I might not otherwise carve out time to visit. Getting to know the students and getting to know K-State’s amenities makes being a GPS mentor doubly rewarding.” –Sarah Hoyt, GPS Guide

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Connecting On and Off-CampusTherearemanydifferentwaystoconnectwithmenteesbothonandoff-campus.TheGPSprogramleavesplentyofroomforyourinterestsandingenuity.Inthepast,guideshavemetwithmenteesoncampusby:

Inadditiontoconnectingoncampus,youmightwanttoventureoff-campuswithyourmentees.Inthepast,guideshavemetwiththeirmenteesoffcampusby:

Thesearejustafewexamplesofthemanywaysthatguidesandmenteescanconnecton-andoff-campus.Mentorscanchoosemeetinglocationsandeventsthatfittheircomfortlevel,rememberingtoalwaysaskmenteeswhattheirpreferencesare.Also,theGPSprogramdoesnotwantguidestospendanexcessiveamountofmoneyontheseconnectsessions.TheprogramwillupdateyouwitheventsanddealsaroundtownontheGPSFacebookpage(facebook.com/ksugps ).Havefunconnectingandsendyourstoriesandphotostogps@k-state.edu!

• Enjoyinglunchintheresidencehalls.

• Talkingatacoffeeshop.

• GoingiceskatinginCityPark.

• HikingtheKonzaPrairie.

• GoingbowlingintheStudentUnion.

• AttendingaUPCweekendfilm.

• VisitingtheBeachMuseumofArt.

• Visitingareamuseums.

• Tryingdifferentlocalrestaurants.

• Shoppingatthelocalfarmer’smarket.

Conversation Points throughout the YearGreatguidesarewillingtotalkwithmenteesabouttheirexperiences,goalsandprojects.Althoughtherearemanythingsgoingoninthelivesoffirst-yearstudents,someexperienceswillbemorecommonatdifferentpointsinthesemester.We’veincludedalistoftalkingpointsthatarerelevanttospecifictimesthroughoutastudent’sfirstyearatK-State.

AugustFirst-yearstudentsmightbeexperiencingseveraltransitionpointsthatcandriveconversation.Inadditiontothequestionsincludedinthefirstmeetingsection,youmaydiscusssomeofthefollowing:• Howareyourroommates(ifyouhaveany)?Areyoulivingonoroffcampus?• WeekofWelcome:HaveyougonetoanyeventsduringWeekofWelcome? (WeekofWelcomeeventscanbefoundonlineatwow.k-state.edu)• Ifyou’reinterestedinexploringadditionalwaystogetinvolvedoncampusyoumight considerattendingtheactivitiescarnival.Informationcanbefoundatk-state.edu/osas• Classes:Whatdoyouthinkaboutyourclassessofar?Whichclassesareyoumostexcited about?Nervousabout?Doyouknowaboutthetutoringresourcesoncampus?(Formore ideas,takealookatourlistofK-Stateresourcesattheendofthisdocument.)

Asamentor,youcanusethisinformationbyaskingspecificquestionsaboutexperiencescommontomanymentees.Menteesmightwanttotalkabouttheexperienceofhavingaroommate,leavingtheirhomes,orhavingcollegelevelclasses.Youcantailoryourquestionstothesepoints,whichwillhelpyourmenteesharetheirexperiencesandkeeptheconversationflowing.

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October First-yearstudentsarefinallysettlingintotheiracademicroutine.Sometransitionpointsandfollowupquestionsmightinclude:

• Mid-termexams:Howhasyourstudyingbeengoing?Doyoufeelconfidentaboutyourclassessofar?Areyour studyhabitsworkingforyou?• Examiningachosenmajor:Doyoufeeladrawtowardanyofyourclasses?Whatsubjectdoyoufindmost interesting?Whatareyouexcitedtolearnmoreabout?• Timemanagement:Howhaveyoubeenbalancingschoolandfriends?Whataboutkeepingintouchwithfamilymembers? • Springenrollment:StudentswillmeetwiththeiradvisorstosettheirspringcoursescheduleinOctober.

Knowingthatmanyfirst-yearstudentsareexperiencingthesetransitionpointsinOctober,guidescanfocusconversationsonstudyhabits,makingnewfriendsandacademicgoals.Althoughsomementeeswillbestrugglingthroughsomeofthesetransitions,otherswillbeexperiencingsuccess.Gaugethereactionsofyourmentee(s)andifyoufeelthatamenteemightneedsomeextrahelp,youcanreferhimorhertooneoftheresourceofficeson-campus.

December Asthefallsemestercomestoanend,manyfirst-yearstudentswillbeexperiencingtheseimportanttransitionpointsintheiracademiccareers:• Finalexams:Howareyoufeelingaboutyourexams?Whichclassesareyoumostworried/excitedabout?Howhas studyingbeengoing?What’syourfavoritestudyspot?Areanyofyourclassmatesformingstudygroups?• Winterbreak:Whatareyourplansforwinterbreak?Willyoubeworkingoverbreak?Whataresomeofthethings youareexcitedtodo?Whatwillyoumissoverbreak?• Springcourseselection:Doyouknowwhatclassesyou’llbetakinginthespring?Whatclassesareyoumostexcited totake?Areyoutryingtodecidebetweenseveralclasses?Doyouknowanyoftheprofessorsinyourspringclasses?

Mentorsmightusethesetransitioneventsastalkingpoints,focusingconversationsonbreakactivities,family,examsortimemanagement.However,notethatifyourmenteerespondsslowlytoyouremailsaroundthistime,it’shelpfultorememberthattheyareexperiencingthestressofstudyingforfinalexams.Mentorsshouldbesensitivetothisbyaskingmenteesabouttheirtimeconstraints.

JanuaryAfteramonthawayfromcampus,manystudentsexperienceafairlysignificanttransitionwhentheyreturnforthespringsemester.Talkingpointsforyourre-connectinginmid-lateJanuarymightinclude:• Winterbreakreflections:Follow-uptotheiranswersfromyourDecemberconnect.Howwasyourbreak?Wereyou abletore-connectwithfamilyandfriendsfromhighschool?• Fallacademicreflections:Lasttimewesaweachotherwasbeforefinalsweek—howdidthingsturnout?Wereyou pleasedwithyourfinalgrades?• Re-adjustingtocampus:Haveyousettledbackintoyourlivingenvironment?Howarethingswithyourroommate sofarthissemester?Didyoumakeanychangestoyourclassscheduleoverbreak?Howareyoufeeling,overall, aboutyourspringsemester?

MarchSimilartoOctober,Marchmarksthehalfwaypointofthesemesterandthingstendtobeverybusyforstudentsandstaffalike.InadditiontotheOctobercheck-inconversationpoints,questionstoaskmightinclude:• Springbreak:Whatareyourplansforspringbreak?• Summerplans:Areyoustartingtothinkaboutsummer?Doyouplantogohome?Whataboutajoborinternship?• Keepingintouchwithfamily:Haveyoubeenabletogohomelatelyorhasyourfamilymadeatripheretoseeyou?

MayStudentsaregearingupforthesecondfinalsweekofcollege.ManywillbefeelingmorepreparedthantheywerewhenyoutalkedtotheminDecember.Somequestionswillremainpertinent.Additionaldiscussionsmightincludequestionslike:• Summerplans:Whatareyoursummerplans?• Fallcourseschedule:Haveyoufinalizedyourclassscheduleforthefall?Willyoubetakinganysummerclasses?• Campusinvolvement:Haveyouthoughtaboutnewanddifferentwaysyoumightbeinterestedingettinginvolved oncampusinthefall?

Thisisalsoagoodtimetotalkaboutwhatyourrelationshipmightlooklikeforthenextyear.Forsome,keepingintouchviaemailworksbest.Othershavecontinuedmeetinginpersonthroughouttheirstudent’ssophomoreandevenjunioryearsofcollege.Talkingabouttheseboundariesandexpectationswillhelpleavethingsonacomfortablenoteforeveryone!

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13122 Anderson Hall | 785-532-6237 | gps@k-state.edu | k-state.edu/gps

My mentee isn’t responding to my communications.SomementeessignupfortheGPSprograminthesummerwhentheyarenervousaboutschool.Aftergettingtocampusandsettlingin,theynolongerfeeltheneedforamentor.Althoughthisisunfortunatebecausementoringisusefulforbothstudentsinneedofassistanceandthosewhoarenot,thereareseveralwaysyoucanrespond.First,useconcertedeffortwithinthefirstcouplemonthsoftheschoolyeartoreachyourstudent.Second,informtheGPSprogramdirectly.Thecoordinatorisalsoableandwillingtoreachouttothestudenttogaugehis/herinterestinstayinginvolvedwiththeprogram.Ifyourmenteerespondsandletsyouortheprogramknowthathe/shenolongerwouldliketobeinvolved,theGPSprogramwillmarkthestudent’srecordsaccordinglyandyouwillnotbeaskedtocontinuetryingtocorrespond.

My mentee doesn’t need/want to meet up because everything is going well for him/her.Somementeesfeelasthoughmentoringisnecessaryonlywhentheyarestruggling.Mentoringcanbeextremelyusefulforstudentswhoarenotstruggling,simplyhavingthechancetoconnectandtalkwithaprofessionaloncampushelpsstudentstoexpandtheirnetworks.Youmightmentionthesebenefitsinyourcorrespondence.Ifyourstudentcontinuestonotwanttomeet,however,contacttheprogramcoordinator.

I’m not sure if I’m connecting well with my mentee. Inanyrelationshippeoplemayfeelinsecureorunsureabouttheirstanding.Becauseguidesmayfeelresponsiblefortheirmentee(s)experienceintheprogram,itiseasytofeelasthoughmenteesarenothavingapositiveconnection.Ifyoufeelthisway,tryandstepbackandexaminetherelationship. Isyourmenteenaturallyshyorquiet?Ifso,theirquietdemeanormayhavenothingtodowithyou.Inaddition,menteesmightfeeluncomfortabletalkingopenlytoaseasonedprofessional.Bylisteningattentively,youmighthelpthemovercomethisfear.If,afterfurtherconsideration,yourfearsarenotallayed,tryspeakingwiththeprogramcoordinator.Thiswillhelpyouworkthroughyourconcernswithsomeoneexperiencedintheprogram.

I haven’t contacted my mentee in a while and I don’t know how to re-open the lines of communication.Ithappens.Everyonegetsbusyandsuddenlylooksattheircalendarandrealizesthathalfasemesterhasdisappeared.Althoughitisusefultosetuparemindersystem,itisofcoursepossibleforget.Ifthisdoeshappen,sendyourmentee(s)anemailorgivehim/heracallassoonasyouremember.Startoffbyapologizingforyourabsenceandexplainingyourreasonsforforgetting.Thentrytorepairtherelationshipbymakingplansforameeting.Yourcorrespondencemaylooksimilartothis:

My co-worker seems to be having a great GPS experience and has a strong bond with her mentees, and I feel like I’m not as good a mentor.Althoughitisnaturaltocompareyourexperiencewithyourpeers,rememberthateverymentor-menteerelationshipisdifferent.Perhapsyourmenteesneedadifferentkindofsupportthanthementeesofyourpeer.Tryreadingthesectionofthisguidetitled“Mentorasa...”Therearedifferentkindsofguides,andyoumightbeadifferentkindofmentorthanyourpeer.Allofthedifferentmentoringapproachescontributetotheexperienceofmentees,albeitindifferentways.Allmenteesdon’tneedtohavethesameexperiencetohaveapositiveexperience.

I am unable to remain committed to the program due to unforeseen circumstances.Someguidessignupfortheprogramandfindthatanunforeseenobligationresultsintheirinabilitytocontinueintheprogram.Althoughthisisdisappointing,itisunderstandable.Ifthisoccurs,contacttheprogramcoordinatorrightaway.Shewillensurethatyourmentee(s)gainanewmentorandthereforestillhaveapositiveexperience.

What If...?Inadditiontotheexamplesofboundariesincludedinanearliersection,thereareseveralcommonquestionsandexperiencesthatguideshaveencounteredinthepast.Examplesofthesesituationsandhowyoumightgoabouthandlingthemareasfollows:

Hello Leah,

How have you been? I have been out of touch for the last several weeks. I had a

large project coming up and I lost track of time.

I really enjoyed our coffee meeting in September, and I was hoping we could set up

another time to connect. Do you have any time this Wednesday?

Again, I’m sorry for not emailing you sooner. I look forward to hearing from you!

Best,Caitlin

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Professionalinteractionandpersonalizedsupporthelpsfirst-yearstudentsinallaspectsoftheirlives.MentoringintheGPSprogramcontributestohigherlevelsofengagementinotherareasoftheuniversity.Mentorsprovideintellectualchallenges,whichengagesstudentsincriticalthinkingoutsideoftheclassroom,aswellaspersonalizedsupport.Thissupporthelpsstudentsfindthehelptheyneedtobesuccessfulincollege.Somementeeshaveevenfoundcampusjobsbasedonrecommendationsandadvicefromguides.

Therearedifferentlevelsofsuccessduetotheindividualnatureofeverymentor-menteerelationship.Somementeesfindbigsuccessesandothersexperiencemanysmallsuccessesoverthecourseofasemester.MentorswillrealizethattherecommendationtotheAcademicResourceCenterhelpedtheirmenteepullthroughinatoughclass,whileotherswillfindthatsimplylisteningtotheirmenteegivesthematimetoworkthroughtoughproblems.Eachofthesemomentscountassuccesses,eventhoughtheyareunabletobeformallyquantified.

Thank you,again,foryourwillingnesstoserveasaguidefortheGPSfirst-yearmentoringprogram.Yourparticipationwillhaveanimpactonthelivesofthefirst-yearstudentsyouencounterthroughthisprogram!

SECTION 5: Impact of GPS

SECTION 6: Works Consulted

TheAshaGatheringPlace.(2004).“ASHAGatheringPlaceMentoringManual.”Retrievedfromhttp://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/students/gatheringplace/MentoringManual.pdf

GeorgeWashingtonUniversity.(2009).“GeorgeWashingtonGPSManual.”Retrievedfromhttp://gwired.gwu.edu/gps/ForGuides/GPSManual

Elmore,Tim,andJohnMaxwell.(2004).LifeGivingMentors.GrowingLeaders.

UniversityofSouthFlorida.(2012).“MentorTrainingManual.”Retrievedfromhttp://www.mentoring.usf.edu/attachments/article/48/Faculty_StaffMentorTrainingManual_Web.pdf

Does email count as connecting, or do we have to meet in person?TheGPSProgramencouragesguidestoremainregularcontactwithstudentsthroughwrittenorverbalcorrespondence;however,theoverallgoalisthatguideswillmeetwiththeirmentee(s)atleastthreetimesinperson.Theseinpersonmeetingsgiveguidesandmenteesanopportunitytogettoknoweachotherthroughconversation,somethingthatemailandotherformsofcommunicationlack.

My student needs to talk to someone with experience in a specific area that I am not qualified to assist in.Manyguidessupporttheirmenteesbydirectingthemtorelevantservicesoncampus.Althoughtherearemanysituationswhereyoumightneedtodirectyourmenteetoservicesoncampus,herearethreecommonlyusedservices:1. K-State’sOneStopShopwebsite,k-state.edu/onestop,has afulllistofresourcesthatyourmenteemightfinduseful.2. TheOfficeofStudentLife,k-state.edu/studentlife,hasmany resourcestohelpstudents.3. TheGPSprogramcoordinatorisavailabletohelpanswer questionsanddirecttowardsusefulservices.Pleasecall (785)532-6237ore-mailgps@k-state.edu.

14122 Anderson Hall | 785-532-6237 | gps@k-state.edu | k-state.edu/gps

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