Mentoring, recruitment initiative good for enrolment, community
Bianca Reynaud
Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
An Avondale College of Higher Education mentoring and recruitment initiative is as its name suggests giving new students and their friends a helping hand.
Breane Grange (left), with Tara Hansen, has eased into life at Avondale thanks to Helping Hands. Credit: Bianca Reynaud.
An initiative of Marketing Services, Helping Hands encourages students to mentor those they introduce to Avondale by, among other things, helping them register, accompanying them to their first lectures and introducing them to life at Avondale. Mentors are rewarded with a free unit or $1000 off the cost of their accommodation and the satisfaction of helping a friend.
“She’s been tops,” says Breane Grange about her Helping Hand Monique Graf, a final-year Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching student. Breane enrolled in semester one this year and is studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary). Helping Hands eased her into her course “because there was one person [on which I could rely.] It just made everything so much easier and less scary.”
Monique eased into her role, too.“Just be someone who’s approachable. Encourage, listen. Your student [needs to feel like] someone is there for them.”
Helping Hands began in 2009 but improved its accountability requirements the following year. Students must now attend orientation with their recruited student, complete an activity log and attend a mentoring session.
“I’m studying teaching to be a mentor,” says Monique, “and the mentoring session reminded me what it’s all about—thinking of someone other than myself.” She adds that “it’s been cool to see Breane settle in and enjoy [her time at Avondale].”
According to marketing officer Alana Brown, at least 50 students register for Helping Hands each year. They recruit about 100 students. This win-win builds a stronger sense of community on campus. Says Breane, “We feel like we’re part of the community from the very first day.”
Tags: Advancement, Helping Hands