Board of Trustees Mentoring Program

Mentor

  1. Board Member Process and Overview of Mentoring Program
  2. Board Member Program Interest Questionnaire
  3. Board Member Program Review Questionnaire

Mentee

  1. Student Process and Overview of Mentoring Program
  2. Student Program Interest Questionnaire
  3. Student Program Review Questionnaire
  4. Mentoring Program Contract

Process and Overview

A personal one-on-one relationship between a mentor, the trusted guide or counselor, and a mentee. A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is not done for personal gain.

Purpose

The purpose of the Board of Trustee Mentoring Program is in keeping with the College of Charleston Strategic Plan, maintaining two of the College’s core values of (1) further extending educational excellence and (2) encouraging a student focused community.

Focus

The program is intended to focus on matching selected students from the College of Charleston with Board of Trustee members for a year-long mentoring program.

Target Outcomes

For the Trustee Mentor

  • Establish a stronger connection with and understanding of the student body, and thereby the institution as a whole, enriching the life of not just the student but the mentor
  • Learn first-hand the wants/needs/expectations/motivations of the students
  • Enhance mentor’s own valuable life skills in leadership and coaching
  • Develop relationships between the mentor and students with new talent and ideas
  • Experience personal and professional growth and renewal

For the Student Mentees

  • Experience the many benefits of having a mentor – the intrinsic values of such a relationship - e.g. receiving wisdom that only experience can provide
  • Gain exposure to new ideas, theories, practices, and/or people that might not be pursued without a mentor’s guidance and/or encouragement
  • Receive guidance on anything from personal situations to career choices, gaining both personal and professional development from a valuable source, i.e. the mentor
  • Receive honest and informal perspective and feedback from a source often otherwise unavailable
  • Enhance the understanding of the importance of seeking out mentors throughout life

Established Goals

  • Match a number of targeted students through one of three groups with participating Board Members
  • Provide the Board Member Mentors with a list of mentor/mentee commitments/events for their participation during the academic year
  • Mentors formally evaluate/de-brief the mentoring experience (successes and failures) at year end and give input regarding ways to improve the program. Student mentees will do the same throughout the year with directors, who will report back to the Mentoring Committee. Students will fill out year-end anonymous questionnaires as well
  • Board Mentoring Program will be tweaked yearly to reflect the input from both mentors and mentees

Mentoring Program Interest Questionaire

Thank you for your interest in the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program. To realize the full potential of the program it is important that we try to find a good match for you.
Please fill out any information you feel comfortable sharing below and feel free to use more than the allotted space if necessary.
Upon completion of this questionnaire, please send the document to The Office of the President.
Full Name:

  1. Your personal background – anything you believe to be relevant
  2. Education and accomplishments (professional or personal) you consider significant
  3. Your interests – academic, career, social, organizations, athletics, causes, etc.
  4. Why are you interested in participating in the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring program and what would you like to get out of it?
  5. How many students, and from which groups, would you be interested in mentoring (maximum of 3)
  6. Are you interested in mentoring a student with similar personal interests, professional interests, regional similarities, similarities in family background, similar interests in social/philanthropic issues, or any combination thereof?
  7. Do you feel comfortable in fulfilling the requirements of this mentoring program (3 scheduled events and 2 unscheduled events) and would you feel comfortable with ex parte communication?
  8. Could you list any concerns you might have with the Board of Trustees Mentoring Program (regardless of whether you choose to participate)?
    __________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature                                                             Date

Mentoring Program Review Questionnaire

  1. Was the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program beneficial to you? If yes, please explain how. If no, please explain.
  2. Did you feel like the program was beneficial to your student mentee(s)? If yes, please explain how. If no, please explain.
  3. Was the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program appropriate to your scheduling needs? Or was it too demanding of your time? Would you suggest fewer or more required activities with your mentee(s)?
  4. Did you meet with your mentee(s) outside the requirements for the program? If so, how many times did you meet and what activities did you participate in together?
  5. Did you feel you got more from required contact/activities or extemporaneous contact/activities?
  6. Did you feel compatible with your mentee(s)? Do you feel there was anything the directors could have done to facilitate a better match?
  7. Are you satisfied with your mentoring relationship? Do you feel there was anything the directors could have done to facilitate a better experience?
  8. Were the directors and other College staff helpful and supportive of your efforts in mentoring? Did they facilitate contact if needed?
  9. How do you feel the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring program could better prepare/support mentors in the future?
  10. Do you have suggestions to improve the program?
  11. Would you recommend the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program to other Board members?
  12. Would you like to continue as a mentor? And if so, would you feel inclined to mentor fewer, more or the same number of mentees?
  13. Would you agree to mentor your past mentee(s) should they express an interest in such?
  14. Do you expect to keep in contact with your past mentee(s)?

This information is confidential and will only be shared with the Mentoring Committee. Thank you for your participation.

Mentee _____________________Mentor _____________________Date _________

Student Mentoring Program Process and Overview

A personal one-on-one relationship between a mentor, the trusted guide or counselor, and a mentee. A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is not done for personal gain.

Purpose

The purpose of the Board of Trustee Mentoring Program is, in keeping with the College of Charleston Strategic Plan, maintaining two of the College’s core values of (1) further extending educational excellence and (2) encouraging a student-focused community.

Focus

The Board Mentoring Program will focus on matching selected students from the College of Charleston with Board of Trustee members for a year-long mentoring program.

Target Outcomes for Student Mentees

  • Experience the many benefits of having a mentor – the intrinsic value of a mentor/mentee relationship – e.g. receiving wisdom that only experience can provide
  • Gain exposure to new ideas, theories, practices, and/or people that might not be pursued without a mentor’s guidance and/or encouragement
  • Receive guidance on anything from personal situations to career choices, gaining both personal and professional development from a valuable source, i.e. the mentor
  • Receive honest and informal perspective and feedback from a source often otherwise unavailable
  • Enhance the understanding of the importance of seeking out mentors throughout life

Guidelines

  • Mentee will make a good faith effort to participate in at least 4 of the scheduled and unscheduled Mentor/Mentee events/commitments.
  • Mentee will give mentor as much notice as possible if Mentee is unable to attend an event or commitment. If Mentee cannot reach Mentor, Mentee will contact their program director immediately to ensure that Mentor is notified.
  • Mentees will submit a resignation letter to their individual program director should they no longer wish to or are unable to participate in the Board of Trustees Mentoring Program.

Qualifications for Student Mentees

  • Mentees will be selected from 3 participating student groups
  1.  
    1. Leadership College of Charleston, Higdon Student Leadership Center
    2. Presidential Community Enhancement Grant
    3. William Aiken Fellows Society
  • Students must be entering their Sophomore or Junior year at the College to qualify for the program which spans over spring and fall semesters of each year
  • Students may also qualify if they are nontraditional students who will be attending the College in both the spring and fall semesters of a particular school year

Program Interest Questionnaire

Thank you for your interest in the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program. To realize the full potential of the program it is important that we try to find a good match for you. Board of Trustees members have a wide range of personal, educational and career backgrounds, and interests. This questionnaire will help us identify mentors that potentially will be the best match for you.

Please fill out the information below by typing directly into the Word document. Upon completion of this questionnaire, please send the document to The Office of the President.


Full Name:
Program Director’s Name:
Graduation Year:
E-mail address:

  1. Your personal background – anything you believe to be relevant
  2. Your pre-College of Charleston education and accomplishments you consider significant
  3. Your interests – academic, career, social, organizations, athletics, causes, etc.
  4. Reasons for choosing the College of Charleston
  5. Why are you interested in participating in the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring program and what do you hope to accomplish?
  6. Do you feel comfortable fulfilling the requirements of this mentoring program (3 scheduled events and 2 unscheduled events)?
  7. Please indicate your preferred contact – phone, E-mail, address

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature                                                                                                    Date

Program Review Questionnaire

  1. Was the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program beneficial to you? If yes, please explain how. If no, please explain.
  2. Was the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program appropriate to your scheduling needs? Or was it too demanding of your time? Would you suggest fewer or more required activities with your mentor?
  3. Did you meet with your mentor outside the requirements for the program? If so, how many times did you meet and what activities did you participate in together?
  4. Did you feel you got more from required contact/activities or extemporaneous contact/activities?
  5. Did you feel compatible with your mentor? Do you feel there was anything the directors could have done to facilitate a better match?
  6. Are you satisfied with your mentoring program experience? Do you feel there was anything the directors could have done to facilitate a better experience?
  7. Were the directors and other College staff helpful and supportive of your efforts in the mentoring program? Did they facilitate contact if needed?
  8. How do you feel the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring program could better prepare/support mentees in the future?
  9. Do you have suggestions to improve the program?
  10. Would you recommend the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program to other group members?

This information is confidential and will only be shared with the Mentoring Committee. Thank you for your participation.

Mentee _______________Mentor _______________Date _______________

Mentoring Program Contract for Mentee

I,__________________________, agree to abide by the guidelines set forth in the College of Charleston Board of Trustees Mentoring Program, Mentee Overview. My signature below indicates that I have reviewed these guidelines with my program’s director and agree to adhere to the guidelines with the purpose of achieving the targeted outcomes therein contained.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Print Name
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature                                                             Date
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Program Director                                                 Date

Sample Program Timeline

September

  • Distribute mentoring questionnaire and forms to Trustees and Program Directors
  • Mentor questionnaire due to Office of the President
  • Office of the President will contact Program Directors to confirm available mentors

October

  • Mentees and Mentors are notified that they have been matched - Trustees are encouraged to contact their Mentee mid-October
  • Legislative Oyster Roast Event
  • The College Reads! An evening with the author
  • TBD: Schottland Scholars Presentation

November

  • Mentee Shadowing Experience or Mentee and Mentor attend an Individual Event together                    
  • TBD: Schottland Scholars Presentation
  • College of Charleston Annual Tree Lighting, Sottile House

December

  • Mentors and Mentees are encouraged to make contact over the holiday break. This is a good opportunity for a hometown visit.

January

  • Mentee shadowing experience or Mentee and Mentor attend an individual event together
  • Mentees are invited to join Mentors for coffee/breakfast prior to the January Board of Trustees Meeting (Alumni Hall, 8:00-8:30 a.m.)

February

  • Mentee shadowing experience or Mentee and Mentor attend an individual event together

March

  • School sponsored event TBD and/or Mentee shadowing experience or Mentee and Mentor attend an individual event together
  • Legislative Reception in Columbia, S.C.
  • Excel Awards (Location, TBA)

April

  • Year Wrap-Up – Attend Board Committee Meetings with Mentor
  • Mentees are invited to join Mentors for coffee/breakfast prior to the January Board of Trustees Meeting and Mentees will then be introduced at the Board of Trustees meeting
  • Distribute evaluations to Mentors and Mentees and request that they be returned end of April / beginning of May

May

  • Evaluations from Mentors and Mentees due to Office of the President
  • Teacher/Leader Mentor Program Wrap-Up Dinner (Alumni Center, School of Education, Heath, and Human Performance, time TBA)
  • Directors and BOT staff evaluation of program including a review of the evaluations and discussion of any changes in the format for the upcoming year

June

  • Directors and BOT staff evaluation of program including a review of the evaluations and discussion of any changes in the format for the upcoming year

August

  • Voluntary Board Engagement Efforts selection sheet distributed at August Board Meeting including requests for names of Board Members interested in the Board of Trustees Mentoring Program

Traditional Board Responsibilities

  • Select, support and evaluate the President
  • Support and promote the Institution’s Strategic Plan
  • Review Board materials, i.e., committee and meeting agendas and supporting documents
  • Approve Budget and Tuition
  • Review, Evaluate and Support Academic Mission
  • Attend and participate in Board Meetings (four two-day meetings and one one-day meeting) to the extent possible regarding Board member’s personal and professional schedules
  • Attend at least two of five Commencement and Convocation Ceremonies throughout the year
  • Attend Dedication and Groundbreaking Ceremonies as appropriate
  • Donate per diem and provide other financial support to the institution to the extent reasonable regarding Board member’s individual circumstances