The Centre for Teaching and Learning, along with the Queen’s Coalition for Racial and Ethnic Diversity and the Dean of Student Affairs, are developing a faculty mentorship program that would pair students with faculty .
“It takes a little experience to navigate university,” said Joy Mighty, director of the Centre for
Teaching and Learning. “Sometimes people are afraid to ask questions, even if there are resources.”
The Faculty Mentorship Program aims to provide assistance to “self-identified racialized persons” by providing an opportunity for these students to work one-on-one with a specific faculty member. Mighty said the initiative is for students who identify as being racialized, and is meant to let them know there’s someone looking out for them.
Mighty said regardless of physical appearance, some students may feel racialized depending on their lace of birth or other various factors.
“Visible minorities is a strange term, as it draws attention to visibility,” Mighty said. “I don’t think Caucasians would identify, but if there was a need, a program could be developed. “A person has to feel like some distinct characteristic of identity makes them racialized.” After submitting an application,
a student will be paired with a faculty member on the basis of similar interests. For example, if a student wishes to be able to speak to a mentor in a language other than English, this can be arranged upon reviewing the applications and interested faculty .
Other considerations revolve around matters of practicality, such as finding a mentor and a student who are both available to meet at similar times. “Each faculty member would have one or two people to mentor,” Mighty said. If a student feels uncomfortable speaking to his or her own professor, Mighty said this program would provide an opportunity to go to someone else with questions regarding academics. Mighty said faculty mentors could also act as a valuable resource for questions involving campus life, residence, and any other issues deemed necessary.
Marianne Bulger, ArtSci ’09, said she thinks the program sounds like a good idea. “It seems like a well-rounded, open opportunity for people who are seeking a helping hand,” she said. “When you first come
to university you have so many questions and no answers. There are so many opportunities that are so specific, but this seems like something where you can help others and be helped.” Mighty said the project is still in the works. “It took time to get to this point. We looked at other programs like it at other universities,” she said.
Mighty said a workshop for faculty volunteers will be taking place on Feb. 16, and the program should be running by September. “There are people who want to do it but for some reason can’t do it this term,” she said. Mighty said the program emphasizes first-year students
because research has shown that students are less likely to complete university if the first six to eight weeks aren’t satisfying. For more information, please visit qcred.org.
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