By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer
January is Michigan Mentoring Month and five campus offices are giving students the opportunity to participate. The Peer Mentoring Fiesta Fair, which will be held Jan. 14 from noon-1 p.m. in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge, will provide resources for becoming a mentor and also a mentee.
The Gender and Sexuality Center, Pre-College Program, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Post-Secondary Transitions and Disability Support Services will participate in the mentoring fair.
“The fair is a nice way for students to get information on volunteering for each of the offices,” said Joann Bautti-Roche, coordinator of the Gender and Sexuality Center. “Some courses require students to participate in volunteer activities. This way, students can learn about the organizations and get involved to meet those requirements.”
The five offices are in different stages with their mentor programs. Pre-College Programs and CMI have established mentoring programs, where some of the others are just starting out, including the Gender and Sexuality Center.
Bautti-Roche said students interested in mentoring should be familiar with issues the mentees will face, responsible, have good communication skills and be prepared to be a role model for the mentees. Some of the positions require specific GPAs.
For more information, contact Bautti-Roche at (248) 370-4333 or jbauttir@oakland.edu.