I’m excited to share some fantastic news with you all today, which is the culmination of 13 months of work! As many of you already know, in November of 2010, I started the #saGROW e-mentoring program, via Twitter, to connect Student Affairs graduate students with Student Affairs professionals. Over the past year, over 130 pairings were made and the conversation continues online. Along the way, we tried to connect Student Affairs professionals with Senior Student Affairs Officers and we did raise money for Student Affairs Graduate Student Scholarships.
Recently, however, I’ve realized that I could no longer sustain the management of the program. I care deeply about the work the community has done to build this e-mentoring program, and didn’t want to see it fade away, especially after so many had “grown” from it. Last Fall, I was approached by ACPA about their interest in creating an online mentoring program, similar to #saGROW, and we talked about the possibility of the Association taking the program over. After numerous conversations, I’m happy to let you all know that it is now a reality!
Effective today, ACPA will facilitate and manage the #saGROW mentoring program. I will remain involved as an advisor during its initial transition to ACPA and its staff will manage it. What’s great is that you DO NOT have to be a member of ACPA to be involved with the program. ACPA will still need volunteers to serve as mentors, help spread the word, etc., so if you are interested, please contact Kristan Cilente Skendall at ACPA directly.
I am proud and excited that ACPA will be taking #saGROW to the next level and give it the administrative support it desperately needs. Now, more than ever, we need your help to continue growing the Student Affairs profession by sharing our ideas and support through mentoring. To those whom have served or participated in #saGROW in the past, I sincerely thank you and hope that you remain connected as we move the program forward.
What has your experience been with online mentoring programs? What can ACPA do to make #saGROW a model for others to follow?
References:
#saGROW Blog Post #1: “Mentoring SA Grads“#saGROW Blog Post #2: “Growing the Profession“#saGROW Blog Post #3: “The Evolution of #saGROW“#saGROW Blog Post #4: “#saGROW Scholarships“#saGROW Blog Post #5: “Being E-Mentored Through #saGROW“#saGROW Blog Post #6: “#saGROW Scholarship Winners#saGROW Blog Post #7: “#saGROW Reflection: Katie O’Brien“#saGROW spreadsheets/docs: Mentor Spreadsheet, Protegee Spreadsheet
