October 2020!
The Mentor Resource Hub (MRH)
Tap into our Mentor Resource Hub (MRH) where you will find our program's extensive collection of Mentor resources, including:
COVID-19 Resources for Scholars; Mentor Program Calendar; Mentor Staff and Lead Contact Info; and Scholar Internship, Job, & Scholarship Opportunities
Use the password: mentors4OP to login.
October Theme:
Navigating Imposter Syndrome
The theme of our October Newsletter is "Navigating Imposter Syndrome." We know our Scholars have undoubtedly shown resilience this year. However, some may be experiencing doubt as they adjust to virtual curriculum and instruction.
Our Advising Team has developed a guide to help define and combat Imposter Syndrome. We encourage you to review the guide and use it as a conversation-starter with your Scholar.
October Observance: Indigenous People's Day
Each year on the second Monday of October in the U.S., we recognize Indigenous People's Day. This holiday, celebrated in lieu of Columbus Day. is meant to honor and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resiliency of Native people. It is also a day to acknowledge the violent impact that colonialism has had and continues to have for Native communities.
Click below to learn more about Indigenous People's Day through IllumiNative's Indigenous People's Day Toolkit.
Voter Registration 2020
With Election Day (November 3rd, 2020) quickly approaching, here's a friendly reminder of the deadlines to register to vote:
Online: 10/19
By mail: Postmarked by 10/19
In person: 11/3
California registered voters will be mailed a ballot no later than 29 days prior to Election Day.
General Announcements:
Introducing New Mentor Program Coordinator, Gaby Perez
The OP Mentor Team is beyond excited to welcome our newest Mentor Program Coordinator, Gaby Perez! Gaby is inspired to be working at Oakland Promise as a Mentor Program Coordinator where she is able to work towards an enriching environment that inspires mentors to be the best versions of themselves and cultivates student persistence. In this role, Gaby will have the opportunity to honor the mentors that paved the way for her success while also fostering a community that identifies potential, cultivates talent, and celebrates differences which she looks forward to doing alongside her team and our mentors.
Semi-Annual Survey Results
Thank you to all who completed the February 2020 survey regarding our program. We received 219 survey responses (~ 20% of Mentors) and conducted interviews with 13 Mentors in April and May.
The results of the Semi Annual Mentor Survey have elevated three areas of need for our Mentors:
- More resources and support for Mentors who are matched with Scholars who attend Community College
- Mentor Resources that are easy to find and relevant
- Further develop community and connection between Mentors
With the support of the Data and Evaluation Team and our Advising Team, we are working to incorporate the feedback we received into our Mentor programming and resources. This includes more Mentor resources and workshops to support our Community College students, as well as a new user-friendly website (coming soon!).
Click below to read more about the survey results and upcoming Mentor Program changes.
Fall Mentor Team Meetings
Our Fall Mentor Team meetings are back! Your Mentor Lead or Oakland Promise staff will be hosting virtual Mentor Team meetings for new and continuing Mentors in October and November. These meetings will be an opportunity for each Mentor Team to network and share mentoring tips and questions with the team. Below is the Mentor Team meeting schedule:
HBCU - Thursday, 10/8, 10-11:30am
All Community Colleges - Saturday, 10/10, 10-11:30am
UCB - Thursday, 10/15, 5:30-7pm
UCM - Thursday, 10/22, 5:30-7pm
SoCal + NorCal - Saturday, 10/24, 10-11:30am
CSUEB - Thursday, 10/29. 5:30-7pm
UCD - Saturday, 11/7, 10-11:30am
Pvt/West + Pvt/East - Thursday, 11/12, 5:30-7pm
UCSC - Saturday, 11/21, 10-11:30am
Please sign up to attend your Mentor Team Meeting below so that you can receive the Zoom link!
OP Mentor Facebook Group is Live
We are excited to announce that our Oakland Promise Mentor Facebook Group is live! In this closed group for active OP Mentors, you can find resources to support your Scholar, stay in-the-know about upcoming events, and tap into our OP Mentoring Community (over 1000 strong!) for guidance. We strongly encourage all Mentors who are on Facebook to join the Mentor Facebook group to stay up-to-date and connected with us.
Mentor Recruitment Now Open
We are recruiting! Please help us spread the word with potential Mentors by sharing the blurb below with your networks:
Mark your calendars📌 — The first step in becoming a Mentor is attending a Mentor Information Session. These sessions are a great way to learn about our program and how to get involved as a Mentor for an Oakland Scholar. 🎓 Visit the OP website to sign up!
Monthly Mentor Survey Closes 10/8
This is a reminder to fill out our October Monthly Mentor Survey! This survey is a great opportunity to let us know what is working in your Mentor-Scholar relationship, and what additional supports OP can provide you with.
Be sure to check your inbox for our Monthly Mentor-Scholar Interaction Survey open now through October 8th.
Reminders for your Scholars
FAFSA/Dream Act Open October 1st
2020-2021 applications for the FAFSA and Dream Act are now open! Students must fill out the FAFSA or Dream Act in order to be eligible for financial aid in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.
Does your Scholar need support filling out their FAFSA or Dream Act application? Are they unsure which one they should complete? Students can reach out to advising@oaklandpromise.org for 1:1 support.
UC & CSU Transfer Applications Open
Starting October 1st, both the UC and CSU transfer applications are open! Is your Scholar planning on transferring to a UC or CSU? Do they need support completing their application by the priority deadline? Have them reach out to our advising@oaklandpromise.org!
UC TAG Application Extended
Is your Community College Scholar planning to transfer to a UC?
The UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) application deadline has been extended to Thursday, October 15th! UC TAG offers guaranteed admission to students from all California Community Colleges if they meet the campus-specific requirements.
If your Scholar has any questions or needs any support, have them reach out to advising@oaklandpromise.org.
Mentor Reminders
Stay Connected with the Community
Our Oakland Promise Google Group is the perfect platform to receive and share job, internship, scholarship, and other academic opportunities for our Scholars. From the “My Groups” page, you can control when and if to receive email updates from the Group as well as how to opt out of the Group.
Join today!
We want to hear from YOU!
What moments stand out for you? How are you growing as a Mentor?
Each Mentor-Scholar relationship is unique, and sharing it can help others - including New Mentors - learn about what to expect, how to manage their expectations, how to celebrate successes, and more.
Mentor Leads Needed
We are seeking 1-2 Mentor Leads and/or Co-Leads to support the following teams: BCC & Other Community Colleges, HBCU, NorCal, SoCal, UCSC and Laney/College of Alameda. Mentor Leads are helpful, committed and experienced folks who want to support their Mentor teammates.
Apply today below!
This Month, We're Reading..
"Traditional Success Metrics Not Enough"
By Madeline St. Amour, September 30th, 2020, Inside Higher Ed
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Oakland Promise
300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 430
Oakland, CA 94612