Viking to Viking Mentor Program

Mentor Program Details

Purpose

Bethany Lutheran College students engage with and learn from alumni and other professionals close to the College to gain insight and wisdom. Participants become informed and prepared to make vocational, professional, personal, and spiritual decisions that allow them to use their God-given talents fully. 

What is a Mentor? 

A mentor is a trusted counselor and teacher who gives help and advice to a Bethany student.

Viking to Viking participants work together to:

• Understand, promote, and foster Bethany’s mission to engage students with the saving knowledge of Christ  and assist in developing their God-given talents and abilities for meaningful lives of service in the family, church, and society. 
• Assist in preparing students for the transition to professional life upon graduation. 
• Enhance and develop interpersonal, professional, and leadership skills. 
• Assist in building a professional, personal, and spiritual network.

Expectations of a mentor/mentee meeting: 

• The mentor and student are expected to be in contact at least once per month.
• Most visits will take about an hour each month, but there is no set time limit.
• The participants are welcome to connect more than once a month if needed, and if both agree.
• The mentor will arrange the first meeting, after which the two will decide who will schedule future meetings. 
• Both should be as flexible as possible to ensure there is always time to meet. 
• Use any communication platform you are comfortable with to connect.  
• Respond to each other promptly (within two days of the correspondence).  

Alumni mentors have Bethany’s trust to guide the experience as they best see fit.

• Respect the confidentiality of the mentor/mentee relationship.
• Assist mentees in reaching their objectives. 
• Be encouraging and supportive. 
• Be open and generous in sharing ideas, experiences, resources, and network with your mentee. 
• Be committed to the mentoring relationship throughout the academic year.
• Respond to each other promptly. (Within two days of correspondence.)

Student mentees have an obligation to:

• Show up on time, keep commitments, and be prepared.
• Respect the confidentiality of the mentor/mentee relationship.
• Be open and listen to constructive feedback.
• Be committed to the mentoring relationship throughout the academic year.
• Respond to each other promptly. (Within two days of correspondence.)

Follow up and contact information: 

• After your initial meeting Program Director Jake Krier will send an email inquiry/evaluation about your first experience. Please respond promptly to the message.
• Each month, the mentor and student mentee partners can go here to report their meeting and receive credit for their visit. Alternatively, you may email Program Director Jake Krier to inform him of when you met, what you discussed, and rank the quality of the meeting.
• Don’t hesitate to contact Jake Krier if you have any questions, would like to participate, or feel he can be of any support throughout the program.