GEM chooses 25

Georgia Education Mentorship approaches its third semester in its three-year program. Twenty-five students have been chosen for GEM this spring at Georgia College & State University.

GEM is a three-year pilot program designed to better prepare students for their future as leaders in Georgia.

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation funds the partnership between GC&SU and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Students from the School of Business, Arts and Sciences, Education and Health Sciences are paired up with Georgia’s leaders in business, politics, education, health care and other fields.

Dr. Robin O. Harris, director of Experiential Learning and assistant professor of Government and Sociology, serves as the coordinator of GEM.

“The Executive Board of Commerce initiated to us about the program. There was a concern from the Chamber of Commerce about who they were seeing as their future leaders. We received a grant and began our partnership,” said Harris.

Sophomore Paul Sedor is included in this semester’s selection for the
GEM program.

“I was talking to Dr. Harris and looked up some information online. My friend also had been involved in the program last semester.
I found out over Christmas that I had been accepted and planned my class schedule to have Fridays open for shadowing my mentor,” he said.

Students are encouraged to make the most of this experience by communicating and spending valuable time around their mentors.

“Communication ideally starts with an email. Then they have a minimum of two shadow visits. Many of them have more and continue their relationships after the program has ended,” said Harris.

Sophomore Adam Nisbet was involved in the mentorship program last semester.

“The program is still benefiting me. It gave me a hands on, see it for myself view, of what the real career field is like. It showed me all the different opportunities after I graduate from school,” said Nisbet. “I was able to meet with my mentor four or five times and even attend a meeting with Governor Roy Barnes.”

GC&SU is currently the only school in Georgia running this program. Harris said there has been great interest from other schools throughout the state as well as schools in other countries.

The program mostly caters to sophomores and juniors due to the busy schedules of seniors; however, both freshmen and seniors are involved.

The students participate in a one-day leadership workshop at the Fanning Institute of Leadership held at the University of Georgia.

“The students develop dialogue with the mentors and are involved in leadership workshops, helping to identify their strengths and weaknesses. They are then encouraged to go over the information with their mentors,” said Harris. “It is a life changing opportunity for them. They gain a greater vision, perspective and insight into themselves.”

GEM does not match fields with the students and mentors. The focus is more on leadership than on job training.

“One of our students always knew she wanted to be in business. She was from a small town and placed limits on herself. After some time with her mentor, it opened up a new world. It allowed her to set her heights higher,” said Harris.

Sedor looks to have a similar experience through his time with the program.

“It will show me what it’s like to work in the corporate world. It will help me work on connections and allow me to see a normal day,” said Sedor.

GEM takes students through a careful and precise application and interview process. They are very selective in whom they choose to represent GC&SU.

“The students have to be able to communicate well and be very versatile. The students are placed in a lot of different situations. They attend dinners, meetings and are often placed in family settings. The most important part is to be patient and flexible,” said Harris.

GEM’s goal is “to contribute to the success of our students and to the future of Georgia.” For more information on GEM you may contact Dr. Robin O. Harris at 445-1128 or visit the online site at www.gcsu.edu/oel.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Jan 31 2003. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry