EMU Today

YPSILANTI — According to a White House Proclamation, isolation due to the pandemic has taken a toll on the Nation’s young people, hampering many students’ social and academic progress. To combat this, Eastern Michigan University offers multiple mentorship programs and opportunities to support students throughout their collegiate journey while facing the pressures of the pandemic, school course loads, relationships, and work. 

Programs such as Eastern Michigan University Advising and Career Development Center (UACDC), The Center for First-generation Student Success, Mentor Collective, and Mentorship, Access and Guidance in College (MAGIC) support various students throughout their experience at EMU.

"Mentorship offers opportunities for students to form connections with individuals who can provide advice and guidance during a period when students may feel confused or lost. It helps build a culture of mentorship within the EMU community and increase student success and engagement among our students," said Calvin McFarland, associate vice president of student success & academic support services. "Students can gain insight from the mentor's experiences and tap into a wealth of knowledge.”

Each program offers unique mentorship and learning possibilities for students."I was worried about my expectations as a virtual college student,” said Grant Clark, mentoree with the Mentor Collective. “My mentor has done a fantastic job preparing me for this semester and my future at EMU. Whenever I have had a question or a concern, he has always been able to guide me through whatever it was."

Students from every path of life can find mentorship and career counseling opportunities. First-Generation student Cedrick Charles, is pursuing an economics and political science double major. In an interview with the Eastern Echo Podcast, Charles discussed one of the factors that helped him find a pathway to his future in law. Charles said, "I know that in my first two years at Eastern, I spent a lot of time with the career coaches. Just talking to them about what I want to do with my future and how I get there. They helped me build my LinkedIn, my resume and join different organizations that will help prepare me for what I want to get into in the future." 

Mentorship programs offered at EMU 

Mentor Collective 
The Mentor Collective is an international online mentoring program that provides support within the EMU community through mentorship. Students within this program are matched with trained alumni or current student mentors based on shared interests, backgrounds, academics, and professional aspirations. 

For more information about this program and how to join, please visit EMU Mentor Collective. 

Mentorship, Access, and Guidance in College (MAGIC)
MAGIC is a campus-based support program that helps students who’ve experienced foster care graduate from college. The program aids in removing barriers that stand in the way of academic success and the process of becoming an adult. 

For more information about this program and how to join, please visit MAGIC at EMU. 

Eastern Michigan University Advising and Career Development Center (UACDC)
The UACDC helps students select the right academic and career paths based on the student’s goals, talents, and passions. They support students by helping them choose and register for the correct classes and also help them explore employment opportunities. 

For more information about this program, please visit UACDC at EMU. 

The Center for First-generation Student Success
The Center for First-generation Student Success is a resource for first-generation students and higher education institutions. Selected institutions, such as EMU, receive professional development, community-building experiences and a first look at the Center's research and resources. Through this program, EMU is poised to best address student retention and success of first-generation college students. 

For more information about this program and how to join, please visit firstgen.naspa.org. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.