MEAS Undergraduate Mentoring Program

In Spring 2003 we started a pilot project matching MEAS graduate students with undergraduate students in their discipline. We are gathering information from interested individuals (see form below). We use this information to compare the list of graduates with their career and research experience to the list of undergraduate students and their interests. Every effort is made to identify mentors and mentees with similar interests. Following the receipt of data forms, MEAS GSA sends an email to mentors detailing their student assignment. Mentors are responsible to contact their matching mentee within 10 days.

Following are some important objectives of the program:

  • Mentors and mentees must correspond with his/her counterpart once a month by phone or email.
  • To foster continued interest in science in mentees.
  • To encourage mentees to pursue graduate studies or careers in related science fields.
  • To help strengthen self-esteem and self-efficacy within mentees.
  • To help mentees identify internship and summer research opportunities.
  • To help expose students to the graduate research environment.
  • To continue to support and promote MEAS goals and values.
In an effort to gain information on the progress of the mentoring relationship, evaluation forms may be sent at the end of each semester to both mentors and mentees. This will be used to improve the program based on feedback provided by the participants. In addition, each participant will receive a letter from the department acknowledging their contribution to the departmental community as a mentor.

If you are a MEAS graduate student and are interested in mentoring, please download this information form and return it by Ashton Drew at cadrew@unity.ncsu.edu or put it in her mailbox.

If you are an undergraduate and are interested in being matched with a mentor, please contact Meaghan Darcy at mcdarcy@unity.ncsu.edu.

If you are already mentoring and have a question, please refer to the Mentor Resource Packet or contact Ashton Drew, Meaghan Darcy, or Dr. Carrie Thomas. There are also some materials on reserve in the Natural Resources Library to help you develop your mentoring skills.

MEAS-GSA Steam Watch Clean-Up

In Spring 2000, the MEAS Graduate Student Association joined the Stream Watch program, which is sponsored by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a way of protecting, maintaining, and raising public awareness of the state's waterways. Under the program, MEAS GSA has adopted Walnut Creek from Trailwood Drive through Centennial campus and holds periodic Stream Watch outings to clean and monitor the stream.

In addition to hauling litter out of the stream and its floodplain, the Stream Watchers have observed mallard ducks, Canada geese, raccoon and deer tracks, beaver slides and a small beaver dam. Some Stream Watchers have also enthusiastically discussed opportunities for using the adopted stream as an outdoor classroom for physical geology and geomorphology students.

Bring your boots and join us for our next clean-up field trip! Watch for announcements in Fall 2003.

Last updated 25 August 2003 by CAD