Puksta Scholar Program Mentor Information

Overview

Each year, students who demonstrate a strong commitment to service and civic responsibility are selected to join the Puksta Scholars Program. Scholars participate in a rigorous and rewarding program designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to become catalysts for lasting positive change within their communities. Each Scholar selects an organization or community issue to design a project around. They work closely with a mentor, the Puksta Program Coordinator and a community partner to develop and expand this project for each year that they are awarded the Puksta Scholarship.

Puksta Scholars receive a $2500 scholarship per academic year. Students admitted to the program are eligible to continue their funding for a defined number of semesters depending upon their progress and their class status at the time of admission: freshmen -- 8 semesters, sophomores -- 6 semesters, and juniors -- 4 semesters. What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching, and learning; prepare educated and engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.

Role of Mentors

Mentors should have:

- A passion for community engagement and involvement with the community

- A passion for working with students

- A good on-campus network to plug Scholars into

- Ability to connect Scholars with community partners

- Available to commit to mentor for the duration of the Scholar’s time here at MSU Denver

Mentors will be paired with one to two mentees for the duration of the time that the mentee is part of the Puksta program. The time commitment for the program is as follows:

- Review and sign off on Puksta Scholar project proposal form, mid-term evaluation and end of the year project evaluation

- Meet at least monthly with your mentee to discuss progress and tasks for their Puksta project - Meet quarterly with the Program Coordinator to discuss mentee progress

- Optional attendance at monthly Puksta Scholar events and guest speaker programs

Scholar Profiles

We have a very diverse group of scholars. They represent incoming freshman as well as continuing students. Various majors are also represented from Human Services, Biology, Political Science and Hospitality just to name a few. Their interests and community involvement include a variety of areas and community issues including:

- Environment - Undocumented students

- Medically underserved populations - Youth mentoring

- At-risk youth - Social Justice

- Homelessness - Advocacy

- Arts

Mentor Selection Process

As a new Puksta Scholar Mentor you should submit a short letter of intent to the Puksta Scholar Program Coordinator at [email protected] . The letter should include your contact information along with the office/department that you represent and answers to the following questions:

- Why are you interested in becoming a Puksta mentor?

- What skills and/or background do you have that would make you a good fit as a mentor?

- Describe your on-campus and community network that would aid you in your work with your mentee.

Conclusion

Thank you for considering a mentor position with the Puksta Scholars Program. We are very excited about this new program and look forward to creating a network of committed individuals to guide - and learn from - our Puksta Scholars over the next few years.

If you would like more information about the Puksta Scholars Program here at MSU Denver and at other area schools, please visit the following links:

- http://msudenver.edu/urbanconnect/pukstascholars/

- http://pukstafoundation.org/

- https://www.facebook.com/puksta.scholars Thank you!

Ryan Campbell Puksta Scholars Program Coordinator Center for Urban Connections [email protected] 303-352-7132