The spring semester marks the beginning of a new, unique chapter of College Mentors for Kids at Valparaiso University in northwestern Indiana.

“The Valparaiso community and university are very conducive to our program,” explained Associate Program Director Macara Hostetler. 

The suggestion of forming a chapter of College Mentors at Valparaiso was met with much enthusiasm.  “The Valparaiso student response was amazing,” said Hostetler.  “Students really jumped in and embraced the program.”

With 25 college students, the Valparaiso Chapter of College Mentors was formed in the fall of 2007.  Valparaiso Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Disability Support Services, Dr. Sheryl DeMik, has also played an integral role in introducing other professors to College Mentors. 

“College Mentors caught my attention because it was an organization that really makes a positive difference in many lives,” said Valparaiso Chapter president Chelsey Dunleavy. “I am really grateful for the mentors in my life that encouraged me to go to college, and I wanted to make the same difference in another child's life.”

Led by ten chapter leaders, Valparaiso hosted its first activity Wednesday, January 23. Paired with 20 mentors, 20 first- and second- graders will have the opportunity to visit the campus 11 times this spring to participate in a variety of activities that will expose them to higher education.

What else makes the Valparaiso Chapter unique to other College Mentors’ chapters? Instead of partnering with an elementary school, the chapter is partnering with the Reiner Community Center. 

College Mentors sees many advantages to this new partnership.  The Reiner Community Center is located within walking distance of the Valparaiso campus and is open to children from several area elementary schools.  Through this partnership, College Mentors is able to reach students from several elementary schools instead of just one. 

The Valparaiso Chapter also serves as a pilot site to see how the Mentor Program fits with local community centers.  In the future, it might prove beneficial for College Mentors to partner with other community centers throughout Indiana and the U.S.

“College Mentors aims to have a presence on every campus in Indiana in order to reach as many children as possible,” added Hostetler.  The Valparaiso Chapter brings College Mentors one step closer to this goal.

To learn more about the Valparaiso Chapter, visit their webpage.