PASSING THE TORCH: CULTIVATING STUDENT PROFESSIONALS TO GUIDE THE COMMUNITY
BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE
ALIE SARHANIS • COMMUNITY COORDINATOR • CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT • ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY
ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY QUICK FACTS
Photo credit: Communications Office, St. Lawrence University & Tara Freeman, St. Lawrence University Photographer
ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Staff Director of Community Partnerships
Full time/12 months
Specialist: Events & Logistics Coordinator Full time/12 months
Community Coordinator Part time/10 months
CBL Faculty Associate Stipend
Opportunities Community Based Learning (CBL) Center for Civic Engagement Housing Community Mentor Program
COMMUNITY MENTOR PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
Bringing Theory to Practice Proposal: Engaged Learning, Student Mental Health, and Civic Development Demonstration Program (April 2005)
“The rationale behind the CM program is to empower students to identify problems and develop programs in collaboration with community partners, faculty, staff, and fellow students.”
“As a result, with leadership from the CMs, the Center will build on several existing partnerships with community organizations, as well as support the creation and development of new programs within the community.”
Source: AACU Proposal by Susan M. Pankey & Ron Flores, 2005
MISSION
“To develop the capacity of student leaders to become agents of positive social change at St. Lawrence and beyond. By serving as ambassadors of
the Center for Civic Engagement, Community Mentors (CMs) foster and guide the overall experience of course-based students involved in a number
of campus-community partnerships. In doing so, CMs strengthen and maintain the relationship between St. Lawrence University and the local
community. Community Mentors enhance both their leadership and professional development by participating in various workshops, trainings,
and conference opportunities.”
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with local agencies to coordinate community-University partnerships
Train and support fellow students placed in Community Based Learning engagement activities
Serve as ambassadors for the Center by spreading the word about what we do across campus
Raise money through fundraising events
STRUCTURE
Structure Paid position
Hourly wage = $8.30 $14,000 allotted to payroll Payroll hours vary, average of 3-4 hours/week
Application process Vision Statement (250 word essay) Resume Transcript Two recommendations SLU Faculty/Staff Community Member
Interview
TRAINING
Training CM Training at start of each semester
10am-3pm Morning = job-specific training Afternoon = team building
Utilize returning CMs to train new CMs
SUPERVISION
Meet with supervisor (30 minutes every other week) Group staff meeting (45 minutes every other week)
Alie (Food Access &
Agriculture)
Brenda (Education & Social
Services)
Julie (Publicity & Events)
1. Bubacarr • Bittersweet Farm
2. Elise: • Campus Kitchens • GardenShare • LittleGrasse
3. Bridget • Cornell Cooperative
Ext. • Birdsfoot Farm
4. Katie • Free Will Meal
Program
1. Kaleigh • Canton Central School
2. Rachel • Cyber Seniors, • Partridge Knoll
3. Anna • Boys & Girls Club
4. Michaela • St. Mary’s School, • Potsdam Central
School 5. Rose
• NYSARC
1. Sam • Events & Logistics
2. Raquell • Newsletter • School Newspaper
3. Kayse • Social Media
4. Lexie • Campus Outreach
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Seminars (Fall) Your Story of Service Building Effective Relationships Motivating Yourself & Others MBTI Assessment
Professional Development Workshops (Spring) Transition Binders Resumes and Cover Letters Interviewing & Service Careers Networking & LinkedIn CM Alumni Panel
Opportunities to attend workshops and conferences
BENEFITS
CBL Students Encouraged by their peers to engage
Community Mentors Gain marketable skills Cultivate strong connections to community
partners/local agencies
Faculty Alleviate pressure of tracking students
Staff Increase capacity of small staff More effective publicity and marketing
Community Partners Receive more attention & communication
“Being a CM taught me to time manage and stay
organized.” –Katie Lloyd ’17
“This semester, being a part of the CBL, I have learned a lot more about the local community.
Knowing the community gives me a great appreciation for my experience at SLU and
makes me so much happier here.” –Michaela Osborn ’18
‘Working as a CM made me realize I want to
work with non-profits as a career in the environmental field.”
–Elise Haan ’18
“I’ve learned what I am passionate about and how to express it.” –Rose Green ’18
“I am now becoming to feel like a leader! It has been a journey for me to believe in myself and
not doubt my strengths. I am proud of this feeling.”
–Bubacarr Fofana ’18
“I’ve learned to work with professionals.” –Sam Taillon ’18
CHALLENGES
Challenges Time
Lack of full-time staff to manage the program Some CMs require more supervision than others Finding a time that everyone is available to meet
Money Limited budget for bonding activities and conferences
Turnover Study abroad Graduation
Diversity Historically all female, or mostly female staff
A L I E S A R H A N I S S T . L A W R E N C E U N I V E R S I T Y ’ S
C E N T E R F O R C I V I C E N G A G E M E N T A S A R H A N I S @ S T L A W U . E D U
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Questions?
SOURCES
Pankey, S. M. and Flores, R. (2005). Bringing Theory to Practice Proposal: Engaged Learning, Student Mental Health, and Civic Development Demonstration Program. AACU Proposal.
Kleiman, M. (1999). Hire Tough Manage Easy: How to find and hire the best hourly employees. Houston, TX: Humetrics.
Center for Civic Engagement. (2016). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from http://www.stlawu.edu/center-civic-engagement.