The E.N.D.U.R.E. mentorship program at Eastern University works to create relationships between students of color and Christian mentors such as alumni, faculty or staff at the college. Each week, students will meet with their mentors to discuss their goals for the semester, academic or otherwise. E.N.D.U.R.E believes that “Godly mentoring results in godly living, which greatly impacts the furthering of the Kingdom,” and encourages participants to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Freshmen and first-year transfer students are typically paired with an upperclassman as their mentor, while upperclassmen are paired with members of faculty or alumni around the university. These pairings are usually decided by similar interests, areas of study, or ethnic backgrounds. However, students may choose to have mentors of cross-cultural ethnic backgrounds or be a part of a group mentorship environment, some of which include cross-cultural interactions as well.
Mentors and mentees are expected to be in weekly communication, either in person or over the phone or email. Available events for participants include the annual Kickoff and Finale, as well as others, like the Art Exhibit.
Students have greatly benefited from this program as they believe that it has helped them to grow academically but most importantly spiritually. This program allows students to be able to hold each other accountable, bear one another’s joys and burdens as well as encourage each other in their walk with Christ. Students such as Malicka Encarnacion, a sophomore who is studying to be a doctor and a former mentee turned mentor, have attested to the program’s ability to cultivate and nourish the need for community. While upperclassmen are the mentors, there is a hope for mutuality in mentor-mentee relationship.
“I am hoping that I can have a mutual relationship as I hold them accountable, challenge them and [hope] that they will do the same for me and to build an authentic relationship with them” Encarnacion said.
She saw the benefits of approaching mentorship through this lens last year when she was a mentee.
“There was days she encouraged, challenged and held me accountable and other days the roles were switched and some days it was very much mutual. So I’m praying that every mentor and mentee can have a relationship that is mutual and receptive” Encarnacion said.
First-year mentees such as Maggie Adenusi are eager to meet with their mentors, get to know them, and to obtain wisdom from them that could help aid them during their first year at college. Maggie said that she is hoping to learn how to compromise as well as utilize her strengths to “make a better Maggie.”
Source: E.N.D.U.R.E page on eastern.edu