"Weevils at Work" Gives a Personal Commitment to Students

Managing Editor

   Provost R. David Ray, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ranelle Eubanks and Director of Academic Advising Crystal Ratliff introduce the “Weevils at Work” mentoring program.

Photo by Susan Harmon

“Weevils at Work” - Mentor Lesa Kilpatrick (right) listens to Senior Ashley Pasco (left) during a mentoring session in the Adams Room of Harris Hall. “Weevils at Work” provides free mentoring Monday through Friday.

   Mentors, specially chosen by Ratliff, provide many resources for students.

   “The mentors are instructed to help students in any way they feel comfortable. Sometimes, this allows mentors to be a tutor, a good listener or provide answers to questions about programs on campus,” Ratliff said.

   While mentors mold to the student’s needs, mentors must qualify for the position. Ratliff explained when a student shows interest in becoming a mentor there are some key things she looks for in choosing mentors.  Grade point average and stress manageability top the list of requirements for students seeking to be a mentor.

   Each time a student comes to the mentoring program, the student fills out a green card and puts it in a box for a prize drawing at the end of the month. 

   Prizes include a five dollar gift certificate to Java City or a University of Arkansas at Monticello T-shirt. If a mentoree refers another student to the mentoring program, the referred student fills out a yellow card with the mentor’s name on it. At the end of the semester, the mentor with the most referrals receives a large prize.

   Not only mentors receive special consideration, but students wanting mentors acquire useful items when coming to the mentoring program.

   Free pens and pencils, highlighters, student planners and a “Weevil Wisdom” handbook sit on a table available to mentorees. The “Weevil Wisdom” handbook provides information on what every freshman needs to know, campus resources and programs and important phone numbers students need while attending UAM.  

   Mentor Lesa Kilpatrick said, “Think about if you were told all your life how stupid you were after a while you would start to believe it. Some of these students have no self confidence.  They don't see how smart and wonderful they really are.  They live here alone on campus away from their family.”

   Mentoring differs from tutoring in that mentoring gives a personal commitment to the student.

  “A mentor is a friend to the student that the student feels comfortable talking to about upcoming semester schedules, which classes they would best benefit in taking, personal issues within the campus, organizations that would benefit them, etc.  I enjoy the work I am doing and hope for continual success,” Mentor Troy Dillard said.

   Students at UAM in need of a mentor can visit Harris Hall, in the Adam’s Room, to talk to a mentor about school.  The hours for those in need of a mentor include:

• Mondays: 9-11 a.m. and 12– 3 p.m.
• Tuesdays: 1– 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 9-11 a.m. and 12 - 3 p.m.
• Thursdays: 1– 4 p.m.
• Fridays: 9 – 11 a.m. and 12 – 3 p.m.

   For more information on the “Weevils at Work” mentoring program or to make an appointment, please call Crystal Ratliff at 460-1833.

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