Mentorship often begins as a simple commitment, but for Geraldine Nyaloti, an Administrator at the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences (SCES), it quickly grew into a deeply meaningful journey of supporting students beyond the classroom.

Initially, joining the University’s mentoring programme was more of a formality than a personal calling. Like many staff members, participation was part of the institution’s culture. However, the experience soon revealed the real need students have for guidance, encouragement, and someone willing to walk alongside them during their university journey.

“After joining, I realized that students truly require mentoring,” Geraldine reflects. “They need someone to walk the journey with them. Sometimes students feel they must figure everything out on their own while navigating personal challenges alongside their academic goals.”

Through the programme, Geraldine was tutored on a wide range of student experiences to expect. Some mentees will seem to be doing well and navigating university life with ease, while others face struggles. The mentoring experience, therefore, is different for every individual.

One of the most important lessons gained through the programme was the value of active listening. In an era filled with constant distractions, truly listening to another person can be rare.

“In today’s society, we are often distracted,” Geraldine explains. “You might be talking to someone while also responding to a message on your phone. Mentoring reminded me of the importance of being fully present.”

Alongside active listening came the development of empathy and self-awareness. Mentoring requires the ability to understand that issues which may seem trivial to one person can carry great emotional weight for another. Being self-aware also meant recognising personal biases and ensuring they did not influence the mentoring process.

These lessons have not only improved the mentor’s ability to support students but have also contributed to significant personal and professional growth. The programme helped build confidence as a mentor while strengthening skills such as problem-solving and reflective thinking.

Rather than offering ready-made solutions, the mentor learned that mentees often already hold the answers to their challenges.

“Sometimes mentees simply need validation of the solutions they already have,” Geraldine notes. “The role of the mentor is not necessarily to solve the problem but to guide them as they find their own way.”

The programme also stood out for its practical approach to mentorship training. Participants were exposed to insights from psychologists, trainers, and experts who explored topics ranging from human behaviour and self-awareness to basic counselling skills. Sessions that examined how family structures shape student experiences particularly stood out, offering a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds students come from.

One powerful takeaway from these discussions was the reminder that circumstances that appear stable on the surface may hide deeper emotional struggles.

“From one perspective, someone might assume that if your parents provide for you, you should be emotionally stable,” she reflects.

Beyond the formal sessions, the opportunity for self-reflection and learning from fellow participants also enriched the experience. Listening to different perspectives challenged previously held assumptions and broadened the mentor’s understanding of student realities.

Looking ahead, the mentor hopes to continue applying these lessons by remaining reflective, open-minded, and conscious of personal biases while supporting students.

For staff members considering joining the mentoring programme, the advice is to take the opportunity.

“It’s rewarding,” she says. “There is a real sense of fulfillment that comes from walking with students and knowing you might be the one person who gives them hope during a difficult moment.”

Ultimately, mentorship at Strathmore is about building a community where students feel seen, heard, and supported, sometimes by that one person who becomes their ray of hope when they need it most.

This article is written by Yoweri Madowo