Mentor a Liberty City student

FIU is partnering with Communities In Schools to launch a mentoring program for Liberty City students. The program is part of the Education Effect, a partnership between FIU and Miami-Dade County Public Schools to improve learning and college readiness at Miami Northwestern Senior High School.

“What is particularly special about mentoring is the organic reciprocity in the relationship,” says Maria Lovett, director of the Education Effect and professor in the College of Education. “Mentors and mentees mutually learn from, teach and inspire one another.”

Fifteen Northwestern students will be paired with FIU staff and faculty members. Students will come to campus helping support the Education Effect’s goal of creating a college-going culture at Northwestern.

“Even if college isn’t for everyone,” says Lovett, “it should be an option for every one of our students. I like to say that the Education Effect addresses ‘the opportunity gap’ – and mentoring programs like this do just that.”

If you are interested in participating, the deadline to apply is Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Mentor qualifications

• Genuine concern for young people
• Ability to accept different points of view
• Ability to see solutions and opportunities
• Flexibility, dependability and openess
• Patience and good listening skills
• Encouraging and supportive

Mentor requirements

• Ability to commit to the scheduled visits and times
• Attend a 90-minute Mentor Orientation at MMC (Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. or noon)
• Pass an FDLE background check and complete MDCPS fingerprinting
• Approval from supervisor
• Incorporate meaningful participation and/or attendance in mentor’s workday for scheduled visit