The student you will mentor will look to you to enhance his or her educational experience. You can serve as a resource and take an active role in shaping a future graduate of the College by offering your student encouragement, support, and the benefit of your experience.

Mentor Eligibility
In order to be eligible as a mentor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, you must be able to meet with your student at least once a month for 2-4 hours throughout the program to help the student achieve his/her goals.

Responsibilities
You do not have to fulfill every possible function of a mentor to be effective, but let your protege know where you are willing to help and what kind of information or support you can give that you believe will be particularly helpful. In order to be effective:

• Attend the Kick-Off and other scheduled events and notify the program if you are unable to attend.
• Work with the student to help him/her develop and establish realistic and obtainable goals.
• Include your protege in professional activities whenever possible and teach protege how to seek other career help whenever possible.
• Where appropriate, promote your protege’s accomplishments to others in your department or institution, as well as at conferences and other meetings.
• Be willing to provide support from other people in different areas of work for your protege.
• Be committed to serve as a resource to the student.
• Encourage your student to explore new areas.
• Give constructive criticism including praise as well as specific suggestions for improvement.
• Follow up on commitments made to the student and notify them if you are unable to attend scheduled meetings.

Application
Please apply for the Mentor Program by Friday, September 26.

Making a Match
Matches are based on the available students in your area of expertise, your preference for working with upper or lower division students, and the date applications are received. We make every attempt at matching the student’s major and interests with the mentor’s area of expertise whenever possible. You will be notified of your match prior to the Orientation Kick-Off event.

Challenges
While CFANS has had excellent success with the mentor program, there is the chance that problems may occur.  If you have difficulty reaching your student or encounter any problems in the program, immediately contact Darren Lochner 612-624-9957.