NMU's mentoring program teaches students to use their talents to benefit the community
MARQUETTE -- This month we celebrate those who have guided us in life: our mentors. January is National Mentoring Month, and Tuesday was National Mentoring Day.
Marquette County has some very influential mentors at NMU's Student Leader Fellowship Program.
Courtney Brown has always had a passion for theater. A sophomore at NMU, she wanted to use her talents to help Marquette. Tami Seavoy has a passion for Marquette--her kids have been involved in the Arts and Culture Center's productions for years. Thanks to Northern's Student Leader Fellowship Program, Tami became Courtney's mentor, supporting her as a technical director for local youth theater.
"When I don't know how to professionally do something, Tami's right there saying, 'Well, maybe you should word it this way or maybe you should go about your project this way,' in a more professional light," said Brown. "And that's something that a lot of people don't get unless they're in a mentoring program like this one."
The program pairs some 100 students with some 60 mentors over a two year period. Mentors are active Marquette community members. They teach students how to use their talents to benefit their community.
"What I'm going to help them with is how to explore their passions and to make an impact in their community," said Jon Barch, the mentoring program's director. "It's not related to your career as much as it's related to your desire to have social influence in your community to make it a better place to live."
The program has been around for 20 years now, and its popularity has grown with age, for students and mentors alike.
Seavoy is a return volunteer, and she says the program rewards her the most.
"It makes me stay young," said Seavoy. "It really does keep you young to be around these young people, and it's just a lot of fun to be with them and to talk to them."
As for the future of the program, it's currently recruiting for the fall. The program is also looking to get an endowment so it never disappears.
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