Union College has received a three-year, $100,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a peer-mentoring initiative within the Minerva Houses.
The grant will be used to expand the PALS (Peer Assistants for Learning) program, which was launched this academic year. Student mentors are trained to help other students in the seven Minerva Houses with time-management, study skills and test-taking strategies. They also serve as informal academic advisers, helping students determine their academic major.
The Mellon grant will provide for 10 student mentors, up from the current three. In addition, the grant will fund stipends for faculty “Minerva Mentors” in each of the seven houses.
Shelly Shinebarger, the Director of Student Support Services, will oversee the student mentors; Kimmo Rosenthal, Dean for Undergraduate Education, will coordinate the work of the faculty mentors.
“This grant will allow us to do even more to support students academically, '' said Therese McCarty, Dean of Faculty. “The program is a joint effort of student affairs and academic affairs, involving student mentors, faculty advisors, and staff members. It's worked out very well for us, and we can build upon that success with this grant.''
Earlier this year, the Mellon Foundation awarded a grant worth $500,000 to Union, Skidmore, Hamilton and Colgate University to support faculty career enhancement at the four institutions.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation provides grants in higher education, museums, art conservation, performing arts, conservation and the environment, and public affairs.