Mentoring Opportunities Outside of Academic Buildings: Field Experiences, Student Organizations, and Athletics

Abstract

This chapter describes the mentoring opportunities that are possible outside of academic buildings. Specifically, this chapter begins by sharing information about ways in which mentoring occurs through field experiences, through relationships that are developed with undergraduates’ site supervisors (i.e., cooperating teachers) and university supervisors who, together, engage in varied and multiple types of mentoring processes. The chapter then turns toward the rich opportunities for mentoring that occur in living-learning communities. Living-learning communities are organized so that learning is not confined strictly to the university classroom but rather is supported and encouraged in residence halls. Faculty members play an important role in living-learning communities as they act as liaisons between the students and their academic departments and colleges. This collaborative approach is situated close to where the students live and brings mentoring opportunities to them. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the role of mentoring in student organizations and athletics, highlighting examples of the such and describing the benefits of mentoring as perceived by students and faculty. Mentoring in these areas occur in relationships built among the students, faculty, coaches, and other professional colleagues.