General Chemistry Mentorship Program 2021-2022

Meet your Chemistry Mentor Program Coordinators!

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Dana (She/Her)

Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA

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BCMB Major, Health Studies Minor

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Thesising in Dr. Malachowski’s Lab, BCMB Major Rep

Hometown: Devens, MA

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BCMB Major, Psych Major

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Thesising in the Dr. G. Davis Lab

Rebecca (She/Her)

Goals of the Program

• Welcome first-year students to the chemistry department!
• Build a sense of community between underclassmen and upperclassmen
• Foster an environment of support, guidance, and encouragement
• Demystify the BCMB/Chem major process and experience
• Highlight other helpful campus resources (e.g. peer tutoring, pre-health advising, Career Civic Engagement and Career Center)

What is a Chemistry Mentor?

Responsibilities:

• Initiate contact & meet with mentees at least once a month
• Share their personal experience, tips, and advice for navigating BMC’s STEM department
• Refer you to our resource guide, major reps, and/or other students with helpful experience

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What is a Chemistry Mentor?

They are NOT:

• Peer tutors: If you need additional academic help, please reach out to peer tutoring
• All-knowing! They may direct you to other BMC departments/ resources. Mentors are here to support you, and if something (professional or personal) is beyond their capabilities, the best way they can support you is to make sure you access the right resources

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Mentee Expectations/Tips/Advice

• Respond to mentor emails in a timely fashion (within 24-48 hrs ideally)
• Enter meeting dates/times into your calendar and set reminders! Mentors are not paid and they are allocating their limited time to meet with you
• If you must reschedule, do so AT LEAST 24 hrs in advance! If an emergency comes up, please contact your mentor ASAP!
• Engage during your meetings! Mentors have suggested topics to follow, but you can (and should!) ask other questions to make the meetings what you want them to be
• Give feedback to your mentors and us! Be honest about how you feel about the program and your mentor so that we can ensure you all have the best experience possible

Important!

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• If you feel that you and your mentor are not a good match, let us know ASAP

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• At any point, if you’d like to leave the program, please let your mentor and/or us know

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Resources for Mentees

• In order to act as a unbiased third party, coordinators will not be mentors and will be available to answer any questions/help with any issues!
• Office Hours!!
• We will have two checkpoints during the semester where we will collect feedback from mentees and mentors
• If you have serious issues/concerns with your mentor, do not wait until the feedback checkpoints. Reach out ASAP to Rebecca (ryli@brynmawr.edu) or Dana (dcaldwell@brynmawr.edu)!
• Chemistry Mentorship Program FAQ and Resource guide covers topics like services for academic/mental help, internships/research opportunities, graduate school resources, and health professions resources.

Fall 2021 Semester Timeline

November�Second checkpoint

First Meeting: What to Expect

• Learn about your mentor’s experiences as a biochemistry/chemistry major
• Discuss your interests, goals, and intentions as a student
• Ask about your mentor’s experience in General Chemistry (and college) so far
• Answer any questions your mentor has and ask any questions you may have
• Chemistry Major FAQ, Biochemistry Requirements, Chemistry Major Requirements

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Overall goal: connect with an upperclassmen and other mentees!

Comments, Questions, or Concerns?

In Breakout Rooms: Introduce yourselves!

• Name, pronouns (if you feel comfortable!)
• Where are you from?
• Intended major(s) and minor(s) (if you have any!)
• Do you participate in any other clubs or activities on campus that you’d like to share?
• Why did you want to participate in the chemistry mentorship program?