In 2022, the Michigan State University Department of Human Development and Family Studies created the Collective Empowerment Mentoring Program to support undergraduate students within the department. The primary goal of the program is to support undergraduate student success through mentor relationships with graduate students in the department.
“The Collective Empowerment Mentoring Program is a valuable tool for creating a culture of respect, empathy, understanding, and connection within the HDFS community,” said Jinny Han, Ph.D., professor, academic advisor and faculty sponsor of the program. “The program provides intentional opportunities for undergraduate students from all backgrounds to gain support, guidance, and advocacy from their mentors (graduate students) who can help them navigate challenges, make informed decisions, develop essential skills, and build their confidence. The mentoring program promotes the idea that diversity is key to growth and that equity and inclusion are essential to fostering a culture of belonging in our community.”
Last year, HDFS child development doctoral candidate Emily Jensen participated as a mentor.
“Last year as a mentor, I was able to make some really meaningful connections with my mentees, helping them with anything from career exploration to reviewing their materials for job applications to offering general life advice,” she said. “We were able to create a great community space focused on professional development and mutual growth.”
This year, Jensen has taken on the role of the graduate student coordinator helping to organize events and provide support for mentors and mentees. She hopes to encourage her graduate colleagues to join the program as a mentor.
“Mentors have the opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills as they guide and support their mentees, while mentees can learn valuable information from their mentors and grow their professional skills. The Collective Empowerment Mentoring Program aims to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by facilitating opportunities for students to build community and meaningful connections.” Jessica Arvizu is a third-year student in HDFS, and she has participated in the program each year.
“What I really enjoyed about the program was being able to regularly meet with my mentor and just getting to know about each other,” she said. “A lot of people often feel intimidated by the idea of having a mentor, but honestly through my experience, I felt like it was more laid back and a fun way to connect with people! I used to go to Beggars banquet with my mentor and her other mentee and we all got along with each other very well. I always looked forward to our get-togethers since I enjoyed them dearly.”
She hopes to encourage other majors to offer a similar program because of the meaningful experiences she’s had.
“You may never know what endless opportunities you may open up for yourself and how many meaningful connections can last a lifetime,” she said.
Collective Empowerment Mentoring Program kickoff event fall semester 2024.
The program was ideated and created by the department’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee and funded by the College of Social Science’s small grants program.
“Based on my own experience, I have seen how opportunities for mentorship and connection can promote one’s personal and professional development,” Dr. Han said. “I firmly believe that mentorship has the power to create lasting, positive impact for both mentors and mentees. It is very rewarding to see that our mentoring program provides an opportunity for both mentors and mentees to grow, build empathy and self-confidence, and contribute to a culture of belonging and inclusion.
To learn more about the MSU Department of Human Development student resources including the Collective Empowerment Mentoring Program, visit https://hdfs.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/resources.
By Katie Rose Frey