ECC Transitions Academy in need of mentors

Elgin Community College is seeking mentors for its Transitions Academy, a college readiness program for high school students in Community College District 509.

Volunteer mentors are needed to support and build a positive relationship with high school students for a period of at least one academic semester. Mentors are asked to commit to a total of eight hours for a six-month period.

"We want to empower students to make positive academic and life choices to maximize their potential to attend college," says, DeSean E. Coleman Sr., EdD, manager of ECC's Upward Bound Program. "The Transitions Academy depends on volunteers to help guide these students."

The program builds on the successful principles learned from ECC's existing summer bridge program, employing contextualized instruction and a co-teaching approach with both high school and college faculty. The Transitions Academy uses a three-pronged approach that focuses on the areas of academic achievement, parent and supportive adult engagement, and student motivation.

In addition to Saturday classes during the school year, there will be a summer "bridge" experience and an adult volunteer mentor for each student. Mentors interact with students, referred to as "scholars," each Saturday for a period of at least two academic semesters.

Each volunteer mentor will be required to attend the Mentor Training and meet eligibility screening requirements. The Transitions Academy class starts Saturday, Sept. 27 with the mentor orientation starting at 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Mentors are asked to commit to an hour and 15 minutes per month to join this life-changing experience for students of our community.

For more information, contact DeSean Coleman at (847) 214-6942.