CMC Mentor Spotlight: Thomas Stewart

The Chicago Multicultural Connection, OMSA’s mentoring program, is still taking applications from undergraduate students interested in having a mentor. CMC, a career-focused mentoring program, matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops as well as social and cultural events throughout the year.  For more information or to sign-up, please contact Robin Graham via email at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/.http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/.

Check out the posting from CMC Mentor Thomas Stewart, a PhD student in Evolutionary & Developmental Biology about why he participates in the program!

“As an undergraduate at Syracuse University, I had several mentors. It was their guidance that led me to apply for various internships and to spend a semester studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica. I found them invaluable as I explored scholarship opportunities, developed my undergraduate thesis project, and organized a plan for life after graduation. Largely, I credit my undergraduate mentors with helping me to discover my academic interests and to ultimately pursue my doctorate at the University of Chicago. 

Currently, I am pursing my PhD in evolutionary and developmental biology.  My research interests lie in understanding patterns of biological diversity, exploring how developmental systems shape evolutionary trajectories. I use catfish as a model to explore the origin of novel appendages in vertebrates, and work across a range of fields including developmental biology, paleontology, biomechanics, ecology and phylogenetics.

As a mentor I strive to provide the generosity in time and attention that my mentors provided me. I would advise my own mentees, indeed all students, to embrace breadth in their studies and balance in their professional and personal endeavors. I’m excited to work with all students and continuing to serve as a CMC mentor.”

Mentoring for UC College Bridge Program

Program Overview:

The University of Chicago College Bridge program enrolls high-achieving Chicago Public School students in University of Chicago courses that they take alongside their high school schedule. Students who are accepted in to the program have gone as far as they can go in the subject at their high school – usually meaning they have completed the AP coursework in the topic. The majority of the students are from Kenwood Academy here in Hyde Park, but there are others from farther out in the city.

Role of the Mentor:
No matter how ready these students are academically for U of C courses, there are still many challenges that they face throughout the year as they adjust to semi-college life. Most importantly, they all feel a struggle with a sense of belonging – often they are called out by the faculty on the first day as ‘the high school student’ in the class and they feel a spotlight on them for the rest of the quarter.

The mentor will serve as someone who will make them feel welcome, offer tips for success, acclimate them to the campus culture and generally serve as a sounding board and source of advice for anything they need help with, including college applications. The mentor and mentee will meet at a group orientation, followed by an expectation of meeting one-on-one at least twice each quarter as your schedules permit. There is no rule book to follow, it is simply about building a relationship and providing the student with someone who is closer to a peer and who they feel they can reach out to for assistance.

We will be attempting to match students with similar interests and/or backgrounds. Please email Bonnie Kanter, College Adviser, at bonniek@uchicago.edu if you are interested and she will talk you through the selection process. Thanks for your interest!

Graduate & Professional Workshop Series

Making the Most of your College Years: Wednesday, October 21st 7-8pm at 5710!

The Chicago Multicultural Connection Mentoring Program (CMC) and OMSA present our Graduate & Professional Workshop Series: Making the Most of your College Years, Wednesday, October 21st from 7-8pm at 5710 S. Woodlawn Avenue. Come get your questions answered regarding course sequencing, how to fit in study abroad, taking three classes versus four, and anything else you want to know about choosing your courses. This workshop is a must for 1st and 2nd year students. Upperclassmen are encouraged to attend as well. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Robin Graham at rgraham1@uchicago.edu.

OMSA's Mentoring Program Kick-Off October 12th!

The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC), is holding its annual Kick-Off Orientation and Reception on Monday, October 12th from 7-9pm at 5710 S. Woodlawn. If you are an undergraduate student who is interested in working with a mentor or a graduate student interested in serving as a mentor, please attend this event! Students will have an opportunity to meet with new and current mentors and mentees and find out more about the program. The time commitment for the program is minimal, but the rewards are great! You may sign-up for the program in advance or on the day of the kick-off. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Robin Graham via email at rgraham1@uchicago.edu or visit http://omsa.uchicago.edu/mentorship/.

The Chicago Multicultural Connection (CMC), a career-focused mentoring program, is looking for student participants for the 2009-2010 school year! CMC matches undergraduate students of color with alumni, faculty, staff or graduate students who share similar career interests and goals. Along with one-on-one mentorship, the program provides career and academic workshops as well as social and cultural events throughout the year.