Mentor Requirements

• Have expertise in the field with significant experience in the student's selected topic; 

• Be over 21 years of age, not the student's peer;

• Boyfriends or girlfriends of students may not be their mentor -- no matter the age of the boyfriend or girlfriend, parents of a boyfriend or girlfriend should not mentor a student;

• Not a relative of the student;

• Be available for consultation with the student on a regular basis;

• Verify hours and student work completed on the project;

• Have a valid, working e-mail address and ability to communicate electronically.

Mentoring Guidelines

• Act as a primary resource (be interviewed, provide information) for the student during the research paper phase;

• Suggest sources that the student can seek out for research;

• Share with the student any materials to which you have access that will help the students complete the paper or project;

• Meet with the student on a regular basis to check progress;

• Assist the student in establishing objectives and keeping a log of activities completed while meeting;

• Give the student practical experience in the area of the chosen topic;

• Listen to the student's practice speech and offer appropriate feedback;

• Encourage the student to perform at a maximum level.

Remember – a mentor is a guide.
It is not expected that you DO the project for the student, but GUIDE the student through the process.