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Mentoring is an ancient concept. Homer described the original Mentor as the "wise and trusted counselor" whom Odysseus left in charge of his household during his travels. Athena, in the guise of Mentor, became the guardian and teacher of Odysseus' son Telemachus.
In modern times, mentoring is applied in nearly every forum of learning. In academics, mentor is often used synonymously with faculty adviser. However, mentoring is a personal as well as a professional relationship. An adviser might or might not be a mentor, depending on the type of relationship. In a broad sense, a mentor is someone who takes an interest in helping another person develop into a successful professional.
Shirley Roberson, director of the Louisiana State University Office of Multicultural Affairs in Shreveport, said she considers the mentoring program a way to grow her own work force to help address the health care shortage, which is now nationwide. "My primary responsibility is the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in our medical fields."
The Jumpstart and undergraduate programs are two of seven available for Louisiana youth from kindergarten age through medical school. The entire program is known as the Partnerships in Science Education Pipeline. The funds, awarded on a competitive basis, come from the Human Resources and Service Administration through a grant called the Health Career Opportunity Program. More information is available at www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/multicultural/front.htm.
Roberson keeps the process moving, applying yearly for funds and tracking students' progress. It is a win-win program, she noted. For many students, it is their first real job and the first time they must interview and compete for a position. "For mentors, they have a very bright employee for eight weeks."
Roberson's office solicits students from every high school in the surrounding Caddo and Bossier school systems for the Jumpstart program. The undergraduate program is open to 26 colleges in Louisiana. She likes to think bigger though. "I'm trying to catch these students in kindergarten, when they don't know what they want to be. I want to get them interested in math, science, and physics and show them they can master these subjects."
Statistics bear witness to her efforts. More than 90% of young people in the Jumpstart program go to college and approximately 84% complete degrees.
ASHA also wants to share information with students. For more information, visit the Reward Yourself page.
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