Warner Counseling Students Start Peer Mentoring Program

A new mentoring program has been established by master's students in counseling to help incoming master's students adapt to the Warner School, the University of Rochester, and when necessary, the city of Rochester. The driving force behind the program is master's student Patricia Roy-Petrick.

Roy-Petrick knew that it could be difficult for students to move to a new city, enroll in a new school, and learn new material at the graduate level, but wasn't sure what she could do to help. "We had mentoring programs in high school, and I'd heard of similar programs through the counseling honor society Chi Sigma Iota, but it wasn't until a Big Brother/Big Sister commercial caught my attention that I new the idea could work here at Warner."

At first, she was unsure how to proceed, so she mentioned the idea to a fellow student and to a member of the faculty. When she received positive feedback, she presented her idea to the practicum class, and eventually sent an email to the counseling students. With interest being strong, she asked for some assistance from fellow students. Carol Amidon, Alison Demus and Sherri Micheli all decided to help and together they formed the student committee overseeing the mentoring program. They began presenting their ideas in first year counseling courses and in an internship class to recruit students.

The committee created and distributed a package for interested students consisting of definitions, expectations, and contact information. A preference form was also attached, giving applicants the ability to list desired characteristics for their match, including program of study, gender, or age. The response was more than had been hoped. Forty-five percent (or 15) of those eligible applied to be mentors, and 38 percent (or 9) of those eligible applied to be mentored. In addition, two incoming students, Maritza Cruz and Karen Kolstee, agreed to serve on the committee as well, ensuring the program's continuation next year.

According to Roy-Petrick, Cruz is the perfect example of the reason she felt the mentoring program was necessary. "Maritza relocated from California to a new state, a new school, and a new program. A mentor could really help her get acclimated to her new life."

Cruz agrees. "Since I came here from California, I really didn't know anyone or anything about Rochester, and thanks to this program I am learning some key things one should know as a Warner student." She also plans on becoming a mentor herself next year. "I want to guide someone who might need the type of guiding I needed at the beginning of the school year."

Last month, the group held their first activity: Meet your Mentor. The meeting started out on campus and soon moved to the bowling alley for a friendly game of first years vs. second years. Additional activities will be scheduled throughout the school year.

Howard Kirschenbaum, chair of counseling and human development feels the new program will be beneficial to students. "We're very proud of our students for initiating and implementing this program. It is totally consistent with other steps we've taken in recent years to build a greater sense of community among our students and faculty," says Kirschenbaum.

"I hope in the future, all the counseling students are involved in the program," says Roy-Petrick. "Perhaps the mentoring program could extend to the doctoral students as well." She also hopes that in two or even five years that the pairs that are made today are still in touch with each other. For additional information on the mentoring program, email Roy-Petrick at royp@troi.cc.rochester.edu.

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November 2002
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