What is Compass?
The Compass Mentoring Program is open to all first year students by providing an intentional mentorship opportunity to engage in community and conversation through a shared interest in racial and ethnic identity and belonging with support from upperclass student mentors.
The Compass application for next Fall will open in the Summer.
The four phases of the program will help you find your way to a fullfilling and productive Boston College experience.Â
Compass starts off with a Kickoff event on campus for all members of the Compass community to meet, bond, and start off the program. At the Compass Kickoff, students will meet their two Compass Mentors and their group that will aid in "Finding your direction at Ï㽶Ðã"
As the next part of your semester-long journey with Compass, you will meet 1:1 with each of your mentors. You can share your goals, excitement, and concerns about your Ï㽶Ðã experience. Â
Starting in September, you will be involved in weekly group meetings facilitated by two upperclass co-mentors. You'll share experiences and learn and grow from one another.Â
Compass participants attend Compass-wide programs as a way to meet students in other groups and to build community within the Compass program. Mentees are also encouraged to take advantage of events held by the BAIC, speakers on campus, and events held by Ï㽶Ðã's own culture organizations.
The Compass Mentoring Program supports first-year students by providing a welcoming community and resources to help them successfully transition to college life. Through weekly meetings with their group, mentees are able to build connections, learn best practices to support academic success, and develop a strong sense of belonging during students’ first year on campus.
Learning Objectives
Through participation in Compass, mentees will have the opportunity to engage in the following:
- Have two upperclass mentors.
- Participate in weekly meetings centered on building a safe and welcoming campus environment.
- Get connected to other resources on campus and the wider Compass community.
- Engage and build friendships with peers through conversations through a shared interest in racial and ethnic identity and belonging.
What makes a good Compass Mentor?
- Mentors must be rising juniors or seniors—junior mentors must not be studying abroad in the Fall semester.
- Mentors must be interested in mentoring first-year students and be willing to share their own experiences with transitions, identity, and belonging at Ï㽶Ðã.
- You do not need to have participated in Compass as a first-year to become a mentor.
What's the commitment?
- Three main events: Mentor retreat in August, Compass kickoff in September, Pinning Ceremony in December
- Weekly meetings with their small group
- Attend monthly formation meetings for mentors with the Assistant Director and Grad Assistant
- Mentors are also responsible for planning group activities and co-managing a small budget.
Applications for Compass Mentor will open in the Spring.
What makes a good Compass Intern?
Compass Interns are a group of 8 sophomore students that assist with programming and planning for Compass wide events and logistics. Interns work directly with Mentors and FYE staff in designing events and helping to improve the Compass experience for current first-year students.
What's the commitment?
- Interns must be second semester first-year students at their time of application for the role, which occurs in their sophomore year.
- Interns must have participated in Compass their freshman year to apply for the position.
- Interns must have a great attitude—positive, enthusiastic, cooperative, and willing to work very hard.
- Attend Bi-weekly planning meetings with Assistant Director and Graduate Assistant
Applications for Intern positions will open in the Spring.
Approximately 130 first year students as mentees; 8 sophomores as interns; and 28 juniors and seniors as mentors!
Compass is held during the Fall semester and serves as an intentional mentoring community in students' first semester at Ï㽶Ðã.
It depends on your co-mentors and which group you are in. Each group meets weekly at a different time and location and groups will be made in accordance to group members' schedules.
The incoming class of first year students are eligible to register for Compass beginning in June prior to the start of their Fall semester and each incoming student will receive an email notifying them that registration has opened.
There is no cost to participate in the Compass mentoring program!