RISE - New Student Support Program Offered in Spring 2013

A new support program for first-time, full-time minority students will be offered in the spring 2013 semester. The RISE (Retain, Integrate, Support, Educate) student success program is geared toward reassuring first-time, full-time minority student success by helping students through their college experiences in addition to providing additional resources.

RISE program benefits for participants are: 

• Receive a free student mentor to help them navigate through college. 
• Develop a sense of belonging within the college. 
• Increase curricular and co-curricular collaborative interactions with other students, faculty and staff. 
• Improve knowledge and skills related to career opportunities. 
• Improve critical thinking and collaborative problem solving skills. 
• Experience a higher level of satisfaction with their college experience.

RISE is also looking for student mentors to work with first-year students – meeting individually, participating in team-building activities, interactive group events, and topical discussions. RISE mentors can gain experience in leadership and service plus enrich their abilities to work with a diverse student population. As an added bonus, each RISE mentor will receive a scholarship for participation!

Mentor requirements are: 

• 2.50+ overall GPA 
• Must be a 3rd semester (or higher) student 
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Knowledge of MCC programs and organizations 
• Be self-motivated 
• Must attend mentor training

Mentor responsibilities include: 

• Coordinate one participant activity per month 
• Provide relevant program information to participants 
• Help participants become familiar with college resources 
• Meet individually with participants once a month 
• Attend periodic meetings with RISE program staff and submit monthly reports to the director

For additional information about the RISE program or becoming a RISE mentor, contact Silas Matchem, Sr. (silas.matchem@kctcs.edu).

Mentor application packets can be picked up at MCC Admissions Office; application deadline is January 25, 2013.