A-B Tech recognizes that non-traditional college students sometimes need non-traditional support strategies, and a vital part of that approach is the A-B Tech Volunteer Mentoring Program. The program carefully pairs community volunteers, who have been successful in their academic and work careers, with non-traditional students who are looking for individualized one-to-one academic and personal guidance. Each relationship develops its own pattern, but generally, a mentee spends one hour a month meeting with their mentor on campus throughout the course of the academic year. The ongoing relationship is nurtured through weekly phone calls, texts, or e-mail contact.
To date, the program has seen great success. We see this demonstrated in the story of a non-traditional student who recently joined the program worried she could not successfully navigate through the transfer process to a four-year institution. "Not everyone knows exactly what to do and how to do it," she says. "Sometimes we need someone to tell us, advise us, and to keep us on the best track towards a great future. I started college six months ago, but after going to my first classes I had no idea what to do next. I knew I had to eventually transfer, but I didn't know the actual process". After careful consideration, she was matched with a mentor with experience in college administration.
Four months into her mentoring relationship, we have seen positive progress. "She is now highly motivated to complete the semester and transfer to UNCC," says her mentor. "She has even visited Charlotte and explored the admissions to the BA in Architecture." Together with the support of her mentor, she is now on the right track. To top it off, she earned a perfect 4.0 in her first semester of college! Much of this success, the mentee shares, is due in part to her mentor. "My mentor has been helping with every step of the transfer process, and he always makes sure that I don't forget to take into consideration the bigger picture (what is going to happen after college or towards the end of college). I am always worrying about the next step that I forget to look into in the future. He has been a great help so far. I am very glad I entered the mentoring program."
This innovative approach to student success is sustained through donations of financial support to the Foundation's general fund and the generous donations of time, skills, and talent from dedicated volunteers. We thank all involved in ensuring the continued success of the Volunteer Mentoring Program.