Elizabethtown College’sUbuntu Mentor Program, founded in 2021, has expanded across campus and attracted hundreds of mentors, which include staff, teachers, and students. It was founded by Elizabethtown College’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB). Darcey Mills, Director of the Office of DEB, who oversees the program, provided some insights into it. 

Cindy Moukoro: “If first-years were curious about the Ubuntu Program, how would you explain it to them?”

Darcey Mills: “The Ubuntu Mentor Program is here to support first-year BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students as they transition into college life at a predominately white institution. We understand that this transition can feel overwhelming and that it can be hard to see yourself reflected in your peers, faculty or campus resources. Ubuntu provides a network of mentors who are upper-level students, faculty, staff and alumni who have shared experiences and are ready to help you navigate the challenges that come with being a student of color. Whether it’s about academics, finding your community, or just having someone who gets what you’re going through, the Ubuntu Mentor Program connects you with people who are here to guide and support you.

Regarding the length of the mentoring, the Ubuntu initiative stands apart from other mentoring programs. Although only first-years are considered mentees, their Ubuntu mentors are expected to provide support throughout their college years and beyond. Though only first-years are regarded as mentees, their Ubuntu mentors are supposed to help them all through their college years and beyond. This is predicated on the knowledge that every year the difficulties a student of color encounters are different and that having a support network will assist them through their academic path.“

CM: “What changes has Ubuntu made from the last academic year to now?”

DM: “Based on feedback from last year’s mentors and mentees, Ubuntu has made several improvements to strengthen the program. We’ve enhanced mentor training to better equip our team with the skills needed to address real-life challenges. Additionally, we’ve revamped our group meetings to focus on strategic planning, which means we’re taking the lessons learned from last year and applying them to make the program more impactful. We’ve also increased our collaboration with identity-based clubs and organizations on campus, ensuring that students of color feel connected across various aspects of campus life.”

CM: “What are the immediate and long-term priorities?”

DM: “Our immediate priority is to ensure that first-year BIPOC students feel supported as they begin their college journey. We want to provide them with the resources, connections and guidance necessary to feel like they belong here. In the long term, our goal is to continuously refine and improve the program so that it becomes a model of mentorship that not only supports academic success but also fosters leadership and empowerment within the BIPOC community at the College.”

CM: “What are the ideal traits expected of a candidate to fill the position of a mentor?”

DM: “We look for candidates who are empathetic, reliable, and have a genuine passion for supporting others. Ideal mentors should have strong communication skills, be approachable, and be able to create a safe and welcoming space for their mentees. Additionally, mentors should be proactive in seeking out ways to support their mentees and should be resourceful when it comes to navigating campus services. Experience in leadership or involvement in identity-based organizations is a plus, but what matters most is a candidate’s commitment to fostering community and helping students of color succeed.”

CM: “Does the mentor team tend to focus more on individual or collaborative work?”

DM: “The Ubuntu Mentor Program emphasizes a balance between individual and collaborative work. While each mentor has individual responsibilities to support their assigned mentees, there is also a strong focus on collaboration among the mentor team. Mentors work together on programming, events, and strategic planning to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of all students. Collaboration is key to creating a supportive and unified community within the program.”

CM: “What are the next events featured by Ubuntu?”

DM: “Our next big event is a mentor-mentee kick-off to help students get acquainted with their mentors and other first-year students. Following that, we’ll be hosting a series of community-building workshops throughout the academic year, including a panel discussion featuring BIPOC alumni who will share their experiences and advice. We also have some fun social activities planned in collaboration with identity-based clubs on campus, so there will be plenty of opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate together. Follow @etowndeb on Instagram for specific dates and details.”