Etiquette event turns the table on faculty/staff mentors

Published 09.24.2018

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Front row, from left: Evonne W. Haines, mathematics instructor; Melissa M. Stocum, academic skills specialist, academic mentoring program; and Erin S. Shultz, coordinator of career development. Back row, from left: Paul R. Watson, dean of academic success; Jennifer L. Hammond, coordinator of tutoring; Crissy L. McGinness, director of dining services; Timothy S. Turnbach, welding instructor; Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant professor of automotive technology; Danielle M. Liddic, coordinator of employer/industry relations; Joseph M. Marchese, audio/visual specialist; and Steven K. McCoy, academic skills specialist, early alert systems. (Not pictured is Dana R. Suter, assistant director of career services, who took the photo.)Career Services and the Academic Success Center jointly held their first "Thank You, Mentors" Etiquette Dinner at Le Jeune Chef on Sept. 18, rewarding those in attendance for volunteering to serve as Academic Mentors. The mentors are paired with students who need help managing their time, getting organized or just adjusting to the many demands of college. Regular meetings and communication help keep the students accountable and provide them with someone to turn to when problems or questions arise. Any student at Penn College can request a mentor using the form on the myPCT portal or by directly contacting the Academic Success Center's Melissa M. Stocum. A secondary purpose was to introduce mentors to Etiquette Dinners, which, sponsored and hosted by Career Services, allow students to learn proper table manners while enjoying an excellent meal. At this past week's unique event, mentors assumed the role of students so they could better experience the educational component firsthand. The mentors – or any staff or faculty member – can now invite their mentee to a future Etiquette Dinner or even sponsor student(s) by paying the cost of the meal. The semester's remaining Student Etiquette Dinners will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23 and Nov. 20. For more information regarding the dinners and how to get involved, contact Dana R. Suter in the Career Services Office.