Popular MC Jabez Magomere, 4^th year Bachelor of Science in Informatics and Computer Science student, once quipped “I love meeting my mentor because he buys me food!” Well, much as we emphasize that meeting your mentor should be driven by higher motives, we agree that an appetizing cuisine does spice up those meetings!

And what better way to introduce our new April 2019 intake students to their mentors than through “Meet Your Mentor Cocktails”. These were a collaboration between the various schools and student Mentoring Services.

At the cocktail, the new students mingled with their mentors over snacks and light refreshments. There were speakers representing the various schools; in one of the speeches, Dr. Orero, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology stressed the need for students to take the initiative and actively reach out to their mentors as they had the full support of the faculty, including a dedicated faculty mentoring coordinator. The Chaplaincy was also well represented with Father Charles, Father Gerald, and Father Mark.

In addition, the new students received advice from both mentors and senior students about what the mentoring experience is like. Some of them had this to say:

Koki, a student from Strathmore Institute of Mathematical Sciences: “I once made an error in judgement out of ignorance and might have faced some tough disciplinary action were it not for my mentor who stepped in. I learned that day that your mentor is the only person who can vouch for your character!”

Jotham Njoroge, Lecturer and Mentoring Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Sciences: “Before working as a lecturer, I worked in the construction industry where safety was always a priority. I remember instructions to always carry a harness and have it properly anchored due to the high risk of falls and injuries. Well, university life does come with its own share of challenges, so make the mentoring experience your safety harness and let your mentor be the person you are anchored on”.

John Mutisya, Head of Mentoring Services: “Some students who had gone for an international university exchange programme noted how their peers were able to manage their time effectively between social and academic activities. This happened to be a university with a strong mentoring culture. There is a great difference in maturity between students who regularly meet their mentor and those who do not. This is because the mentoring experience speaks to all round growth in a student and how you manage your time is a natural outcome of this growth”.

There’s much to be gained from Strathmore University mentoring as it opens up students to learning and growing in their personal and professional dimensions.

Many thanks to all the faculty mentoring coordinators, school managers and cafeteria services for making the inaugural “Meet Your Mentor Cocktails” a success.

And best wishes to the April 2019 intake for a happy and enjoyable experience at Strathmore University and always remember these inspiring words from our Founder:

I read a proverb which is very popular in some countries: “God owns the world, but he rents it out to the brave,” and it made me think. What are you waiting for? – St. Josemaria Escriva

 

This article was written by Ruby Kimondo

If you have a story, kindly email: communications@strathmore.edu