Abigail Dunagan, Campus Carrier features editor
Cammie Wilks, Campus Carrier asst. features editor
“The culture of mentorship” is perhaps one of the most unique features of the Berry education. While many consider the college to be known for its sprawling campus and rigorous academics, the mentorship program provides each class of freshman with a support system that is designed to help them adjust to college life. Based on Martha Berry’s own beliefs of helping students while providing an education, the mentorship program places each student in a class called Berry College Class (BCC 100) that they will take during their first semester at Berry. Each class is led by a professor and a student mentor that will work to teach the students the “ins and outs” of surviving college while also allowing them a space to connect with their peers and ask questions.
Professor of Animal Science Judith Wilson is teaching a BCC 100 course in her department this semester. According to Wilson, Animal Science is one of Berry’s largest majors. The department typically has at least four professors teaching the course, and the professors rotate who teaches the class each year. Students who have declared their major as Animal Science are required to start taking specific courses early on in their degree and Wilson said her department aims to ensure that these students start off on the right track.
As a part of the student mentorship program, freshmen have the opportunity to spend time with their peers and upperclassmen mentors at scheduled events.
Many students come into the Animal Science program with plans to later attend vet school. Although it is one of Berry’s larger programs, freshmen often discover that the pre-vet track is not right for them. Wilson said that in the past, some students have made dramatic changes, such as switching from the sciences to the humanities or the arts. It can be challenging for students to make such a big decision, but Wilson said she enjoys getting to provide guidance for students during this transition.
“You have to explore and try different courses, and you’ve got to put yourself out there a little bit, which can be more difficult for introverts,” Wilson said. “If you come in and you have a path planned out, don’t stick to it if you are unhappy.”
The impact of BCC 100 doesn’t stop once a student finishes the course; Wilson said that she has kept in touch with many of her past students, and some students will email her sharing updates in their careers.
“I’m happy for them because it means they’ve made it through the program, and most of them have a destination once they finish Berry,” Wilson said. “It’s sad when you don’t have some of those students in class anymore, but you are also very excited for them because they are going on to the next phase of their life.”
Junior Emma Furr is an elementary education major and she is one of the many BCC mentors that Berry employs. According to Furr, the selection process for mentors involves several different steps, including a series of interviews and a presentation. Applicants must be recommended by previous employers, and after the interviews, students are selected for the job.
During the semester, student mentors meet with their professor each week to discuss any progress or concerns that they have with their class. Student mentors are also required to meet with each other every two weeks, and this allows them to talk with their peers about their experiences leading the class. This cycle of meetings provides mentors with a support system; although they are providing guidance to the freshmen class, it is necessary that the mentors have their own support space.
Many find working as a mentor to be a rewarding job, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Part of the job is to be available to answer student questions and help them with any problems they may have, but it can be difficult to remain available during a busy day.
“Sometimes it’s hard to be there 24/7, especially when you have classes,” Furr said. “That can be a challenge, but I feel like I am pretty available.”
Senior Sydney Edwards was inspired to become a mentor after her own experience as a freshman. Edwards felt like the BCC program was less developed when she was first coming to Berry and she felt that she would have benefited more from a program with more structure. For her own BCC students, she plans to serve as a resource and a friend while simultaneously introducing them to life at Berry.
“Everybody tells freshman to do all they can and to immerse themselves,” Edwards said, “My advice is to instead get to know yourself more. College is very different from high school. I wasn’t an ‘on-the-go’ person, and I got burnt out quick from following people’s advice. My advice is to know yourself and to know what you’re good with.”
BCC classes allow freshman to not only connect with a mentor, but to make friendships with other students before classes even begin. These classes contain students who share the same major, providing new students with a place to make new connections.
“Even if people have different backgrounds, they still have the common experience of being in the same BCC class,” Edwards said.
While some students may look at their BCC class as just one course to get out of the way, Berry’s mentorship program provides students with three main resources: they get to know a professor, a upperclassmen and other freshmen in their major. This allows them to start building those valuable college connections early on in their career, especially as they navigate this new chapter of their lives.