Dear Concordia University Friend,
As we continue to welcome a diverse population of learners to Concordia University Ann Arbor, we are called to develop better systems of support and engagement for all our students. Historically, our retention rate has hovered around 65%, making these support systems even more critical during a global pandemic and economic crisis.
In order to better help students develop in mind, body, and spirit, we ask for your help.
For the spring 2021 semester, we will create learning communities for students who are first generation, Pell Grant eligible, on probation, or have a current CUAA or an incoming high school GPA below 2.3.
Each learning community will be shepherded by a faculty/staff mentor. The criteria to become a mentor is simple—you must have a kind servant heart.
As a mentor, you will be responsible for the following:
1) Attending a training session over Winterim
2) Implementing the Destination Cardinal curriculum
3) Meeting with your learning community weekly to review Destination Cardinal curriculum, answer individual student questions, help them navigate campus, enjoy a cup of coffee, and more
4) Completing B.I.T and CAST referrals when necessary
5). Providing other individual attention to best support our students
We imagine this time commitment will be approximately 2 hours per week.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email Erin Laverick at erin.laverick@cuaa.edu by Thursday, December 17th. Mentors will receive a calendar invitation for a Zoom training session to be held on Tuesday, January 5th 10:00-11:30 via Zoom.
We know this academic year has been a challenge, and many of you have already taken on additional responsibilities without compensation. However, we hope you will find time to help support our students so they can all become highflying cardinals!
Blessings,
Erin Laverick
Lonnie Pries
Cassidy Tirmenstein
Tori Negash
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