OLLI at BCC Mentoring for Success Program
OLLI Mentoring at BCC: Caring. Motivating. Inspiring.Application Forms: Click here if you are a BCC student or here if you are an OLLI at BCC Member.
Mission of Mentoring for Success Program
The free Mentoring for Success Program offered by OLLI at BCC supports the development of ongoing, personal relationships in which an OLLI member shares knowledge, skills, and wisdom gained from a lifetime of experience to encourage the personal and professional growth of a BCC student. Mentoring seeks to foster stronger connections between academic studies and career development and engagement for all involved.
What is Mentoring?
It’s someone to talk to, someone who listens. Mentors provide expertise, a sounding board, a shoulder to cry on, community resources, a safety net, and perspective on handling life’s biggest challenges. The power of mentoring is that it creates a unique opportunity for students to develop valuable personal and professional life skills through the active support and assistance of mentors.
OLLI mentors are uniquely positioned to help students with:
- life skills, such as school-work-life balance and day-to-day challenges
- degree and career path ideas
- career planning and networking
- social and personal interactions
- navigating college financing
What is OLLI?
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at BCC is a learning community comprised of 1,500 adults age 50 and older whose focus is on educational programs, social interaction, and community service.
Benefits of Mentoring for Both Mentor and Student/Mentee
Students who are mentored:- Show improvement in academic performance
- Are more likely to persist and graduate from college
- Benefit from building a strong connection with a supportive, positive role model
- Report that they develop and cultivate valuable social and professional skills necessary to succeed in life
- Share a lifetime of professional skills with a student at the beginning of his/her professional career
- Have the opportunity to reflect on their own professional practice
- Build an enriching intergenerational connection with their mentee by developing a meaningful mentoring relationship
- Experience personal satisfaction by supporting the personal and professional growth of a student
- Confidentiality
- Mutual respect
- Informing one another about meeting schedules and cancellations, appointment reminders, and any other related expectations
- Meeting regularly by phone, Zoom, in-person, or other agreed-upon method
- Attending additional OLLI Mentoring events together when feasible
- Actively participate in the program with your mentee.
- Be present in the Berkshires, or virtually available, to engage with your mentee on a regular basis.
- Meet with your mentee in person when feasible.
- Attend mentor orientation/training/celebratory events.
- Provide mentoring program input.
OLLI pairs students with mentors who share a career or education focus, outside activities, and even hobbies. We offer short-term advising and supports as well as 1:1 long-term mentoring which makes mentors uniquely responsive to the needs of individual students.
If you are interested in participating in the OLLI Mentoring for Success Program at Berkshire Community College, please complete the appropriate student mentee or mentor application form.
Questions?
If you have further questions about what is involved in participating in the mentoring program, please contact Nina Keneally or Erin McNamara.
Thank you for your interest in the OLLI Mentoring for Success Program at BCC!
OLLI: the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College |
