The Chattanooga State B.O.S.S. Mentorship Program is an effort to connect underrepresented minority students to campus, increase interactions with faculty and staff and provide students with academic and non-academic benefits that will improve their expected outcomes.
Findings in recent research (Research in Higher Education) show that students who interact more frequently with faculty members tend to have higher levels of academic self-challenge and a greater sense of belonging than those who do not do so, or who do so less frequently. These same students develop a deeper academic engagement, work harder in class, pursue challenging work and enjoy greater satisfaction with their college experience when they experience positive faculty interaction.
This pilot program put together by Amanda Jordan, B.O.S.S. Program coordinator, and Andy Cross, scholarship coordinator, will pair 20 student mentees with a number of faculty/staff mentors for the 2019-2020 school year.
“It is our hope that this mentorship will aid these students in feeling a sense of belonging on our campus; like they are truly valued, cared for, and capable of not only completing our program, but also of completing their education at Chattanooga State,” said Ms. Jordan.
After meeting program requirements, some of which include weekly meetings with mentors, active participation with the B.O.S.S. program and maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average, the students will receive a $1,200 grant that can be used to defray their educational and personal expenses.
“We are very optimistic about this endeavor and hopeful the results will be promising, possibly allowing us to expand the mentorship program to more students in the future,” said Ms. Jordan.
For more information about the B.O.S.S. Mentorship Program, contact Ms. Jordan at 423-697-2471 or by email at amanda.jordan@chattanoogastate.edu.