"The measure of a Life is its Service."
Nov. 23 , 2009
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Students who have an exceptional working relationship with a faculty or staff member, or vice versa, can show their appreciation for their mentor or mentee with a new award that will be disseminated by the Student Advising and Mentoring Center.
The SHSU Mentoring Award Fund, established through the contribution of an anonymous donor, will annually recognize one student and one faculty or staff member with a $1,000 prize. The first two mentoring awards will be given in the spring.
“Students benefit significantly from the informal education that mentors provide on how to navigate an often unfamiliar territory, whether it be moving through the ranks of higher education, continuing their academic career into post-graduate study, or even transitioning successfully into their first professional job,” said Candi Harris, SAM Center staff associate. “I believe this new award opportunity speaks to the value placed on mentoring relationships in higher education.
“Not only will this program encourage more students to seek out this type of relationship, it will also recognize faculty and staff members who go beyond their primary job responsibilities to further serve our students,” she said. “For the winner of the faculty/staff $1,000 award, it could definitely be considered a tangible ‘thank you.’”
Students who want to nominate a faculty or staff mentor should submit a one-page essay about why their mentor should be chosen and how their mentor has made a difference in their life. Mentors also submit a one-page essay on their student, including why he or she should win the award and what kind of change they have seen in their student as a result of their mentoring relationship.
Mentors and protégés do not both have to be nominated to win, nor do they have be a part of an official mentoring program.
“Any student, faculty or staff member is eligible,” Harris said. “Let’s say you’re a sophomore and a certain professor has really been mentoring you in a specific field, or with professional mentoring, just showing you how to be a better college student, how to network.”
The submission deadline will be April 15, 2010, with winners announced the week of April 26.
A reception also will be held to honor all participants.
Recipients will be selected by an awards committee comprised of campus representatives, including staff members and a student.
Nominations can be turned in to Harris in the SAM Center, located in College of Humanities and Social Sciences Building Suite 190.
The criteria are also listed online at http://www.shsu.edu/~sam_www/documents/SHSU%20Mentoring%20Award%20-%202010.pdf.
For more information, contact Harris at 936.294.4628 or ceh021@shsu.edu.
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"The measure of a Life is its Service."