The Ubuntu program started in 2021 as an effort to provide mentorship to first-years who identify as students of color. It has since grown to different areas on campus and has recruited dozens of mentors who are students, faculty and staff. The program is an initiative through Elizabethtown College’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging (DEB). Director of the Office of DEB Darcey Mills oversees the program and seeks to connect it to other diversity initiatives on campus.
First-year students of color choose whether they would like to be part of the program or not. If they decide that they would like to be part of the program, they are then connected with a student Ubuntu mentor who shares their interests, such as major, sports or other campus club involvement. The student Ubuntu mentor is often the result of the Ubuntu program themselves, giving back to the program by signing up to mentor first-year students.
The Ubuntu program is different from other mentorship programs when it comes to the duration of the mentorship. Although only first-years are considered mentees, their Ubuntu mentors are expected to provide support throughout their college years and beyond. This is based on the understanding that the challenges a student of color faces are unique every year, and finding a support system would help them in their college journey.
The program is also unique in the way it defines an Ubuntu mentor. Along with a student Ubuntu mentor, staff and faculty members of color are also part of this program to provide mentorship to first-year students in areas that a student mentor may not be able to help with. This support structure ensures that a first-year student of color finds support in every aspect of campus life.
In addition to students, staff and faculty, the Ubuntu program also seeks to connect alumni of color to current students of color. Alumni of color are invited to join “meet and greet” events in-person or remotely a few times a year. This allows current students of color to gain new perspectives of what life holds beyond their time at Etown.
The Ubuntu program has gotten more involved with other campus activities, as the mentees and mentors work with other identity-based clubs to encourage cross-collaboration between the DEB Office and campus clubs as well as boost attendance. Often, the members of the Ubuntu program run for leadership positions in identity-based clubs in an effort to ensure student-led long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus.
Another recent initiative that has been linked with the Ubuntu program is the Summer Social and Civic Leadership Academy. Having just finished its second year, the academy is an effort to build a summer bridge program to help guide high school students to higher education. The academy is centered towards engaging students from diverse backgrounds and allows them to know what to expect from college.
This week-long Academy comes at no cost to the students in an effort to allow students from all backgrounds to take part in this experience. This initiative was first led by Jalen Belgrave ‘23 and was continued by senior International Business major Emely Guevara, the Academy’s director for 2023.
“I came from a very unrepresented community where we didn’t have the opportunity to go to summer camps,” Guevara said. “Now, I have the opportunity to give that access to other students that look like me and want to learn about college. This camp is meant to build young community leaders to go back in their communities and make an impact, teaching them to use their voices and reach out to others.”
The Ubuntu program is planning to host events throughout the year to engage students currently enrolled in the program and encourage other students to apply to become members. If you are interested in learning more or joining the program, email millsd@etown.edu.
