Guidelines for Building Bridges Participants

The term “mentor” which originates from the Odyssey of Homer is the title given to faculty who play a role in the development of a first year student in the Building Bridges Mentoring Program. Akin to their namesake, mentors assist their young charges, who, like Telemachus, embark on a journey of becoming. Just as Athena donned a mask and played Mentor, faculty in their role, encourage their mentees to explore the shores of academia and Notre Dame. It is the program’s hope that each student’s journey results in the desire to become a lifelong learner.

Mentoring is a process that will take some time. Mentors in the Building Bridges program will most likely see their mentee at their launching point, and it will be a while before they finally arrive at their destination. As a process there is no right way of mentoring, but successful Mentor-Mentee relationships do not occur by accident. The brief list below, although not comprehensive in nature, will supply participants with some very pertinent information that will define roles and expectations.

Giancarlo Santos ’09 in El Salvador assisting in the surgical treatment of children with cleft lips and palates.

• Mentors are guides not tutors, academic advisors, arm chair therapists, nor best friends. As guides mentors supply their mentees with insights that will help first year students successfully navigate through Notre Dame’s vast academic environment. Mentors introduce their mentees to a plethora of excellent programs and opportunities that will challenge the student to become a capable young scholar.
  
  
• As a mentee when meeting your mentor for the first time you will want him/her to know what needs must be met for you to become academically successful. Articulate your academic goals to your mentor. How will your Notre Dame academic experience be extraordinary?
  
  
• Are you interested in research? Are you interested in conducting research while you are studying abroad? Who coordinates undergraduate research in the department? How will you fund your research work? Will you write a senior thesis? Mentees must carefully plan ahead to make a research opportunity into a reality.
  
  
• First year students are easily intimidated by faculty; one of the most important skills that a mentee will learn is how to communicate with a faculty member. Mentees must be prepared when meeting with faculty (what do you plan to discuss when you meet with him/her?)
  
  
• Availability is important for success (office hours are the most ideal meeting times, but coffee or lunch meetings are a good break in the routine—you are not expected to pay!). Keep your appointments (time at Notre Dame is a valuable commodity for everyone) or at the very least communicate in a timely manner any unavoidable changes.
  
  
• Communication is crucial (e-mails are effective quick forms of communication, but nothing beats a face to face meeting). Respond to e-mails and phone calls in a timely manner.