Mentors needed for Sister Jerome’s Mission College

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Wanted: Volunteers to mentor first-generation college students. Must have four-year degree and be able to help students navigate the ins and outs of the higher-education system.

Sister Jerome’s Mission College program seeks volunteer mentors to work with students who face challenges because of income, family circumstances and health issues.

Sister Jerome of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown founded Mission College in 2012 to aid good students who encounter barriers to a college education. Sister Jerome is now director emeritus, and Maraline Kubik, director.

Kubik explained that Sister Mary Dunn, who was principal at Youngstown Community School, had mentored students in the program. She retired in June. Other mentors are needed; currently, five mentors participate.

Mission College has seven students in the program, and hopes to increase that to between 12 and 15 for the 2016-17 academic year, Kubik said. She said two students graduated in May from Youngstown State University.

The number of students admitted to the Mission College program is impacted by the number of mentors who volunteer and funding. “Volunteers should have a four-year degree,” Kubik said. “It’s helpful if they were a teacher, administrator or previously acted as a mentor.” She added mentors need a background of a higher education because that experience helps them help students work through the process. Kubik also noted that parents who have helped their own children through college probably have the necessary skills and empathy.

“We’re growing the program slowly so that we make sure mentors and students are comfortable,” Kubik said. Both mentors and students must understand the grading system, transcripts and financial-aid reports. An informational meeting is tentatively planned in August.

Kubik said mentors help students choose the right courses that lead to attainment of their degree while taking some elective courses to broaden their horizons. “We also want mentors to advise students about case loads and how to balance more difficult classes with less demanding ones,” she said.

A key to successful mentoring for Mission College students, Kubik said, is “understanding and being sensitive to special issues” that these students face. They come from low-income families, and most are in single parent or grandparent households. Some must deal daily with their own health issues or health problems in their families. Some have responsibilities caring for younger siblings. They also juggle family and school responsibilities with part- and full-time employment.

Mission College students also must meet four obligations: keep up their GPA, be careful about student loans, abide by university or college rules and maintain part-time employment.

The mentors, she said, do not serve as tutors, but helpers in higher education. Mentors and students meet as needed; students are required to call or email mentors once a week. Meetings must take place in public places such as public or school libraries, the Ursuline Center or at an instructor’s office. “This is a friendly but professional relationship,” she said.

Kubik said Mission College, a nonprofit organization funded entirely by donations, provides gift cards that students use for gas, food, clothing and school supplies. Bus passses also are provided because oftentimes transportation is an issue.

Donations may be sent to Sister Jerome’s Mission College, Ursuline Center, 4280 Shields Road, Canfield, OH 44406.

For information on Mission College or becoming a mentor, call 330-259-8765.