SPH Mentor News Spring 2005
A Newsletter for the School of Public Health Mentor Program
Spring 2005 edition
Greetings SPH Mentors and Students,
This is the second and final newsletter from the SPH Mentor Program for the 2004 – 2005 academic year. The goal is to share end-of-the-academic-year tips and information. You will find links to register for the appreciation events and offer us feedback on your mentor experience.
If you are able to attend the mentor appreciation event(s), we look forward to celebrating with you next week!
In this edition:
Many thanks
Relationship closure tips
RSVP
Survey
Film festival announcement
Facilities tour for students
Keynote speaker bio: Darcy Pohland, Reporter - WCCO-TV
Thank you, Mentors!
by Karen Kaphingst, SPH student mentee
The School of Public Health Mentor Program and student mentees would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the mentors who participated in the program this year. The generous donation of your time, talents, insights, and expertise is truly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to make a difference in the life of a University of Minnesota public health student.
When some randomly selected students were interviewed and asked to share their thoughts about their mentors this year, here is what they had to say:
"I hope everybody else is as happy with their mentor as I am. My mentor is such a benefit."
"My mentor provided me with a connection to the community and the opportunity to build professional relationships."
"It's been a really positive experience for me."
“My mentor has been wonderful…. She has been so generous in giving of her time and expertise and is always interested in hearing about how things are going for me. At the beginning of the program last fall, she asked me lots of questions about my interests and career aspirations, and then identified people in her own organization that would be helpful for me to talk to. I was able to conduct informational interviews with many of them and even learned about opportunities for my field experience and master’s project.”
Through conversations with her mentor, one student has been able to "figure out exactly what I want to do after graduating."
"My mentor has helped me broaden my horizons and focus on what I really want to do with my education."
"I'm glad that I decided to participate!"
These glowing statements are an accurate indication of just how important each and every mentor is to the success of the program. Thank you, mentors!
Relationship Closure for Mentors and Mentees
by Joanne Moze, SPH student mentee
Along with the end of the school year, the Mentor Connection Appreciation event is rapidly approaching. What does this mean for your mentor-mentee relationship? Of course there is no "one-size-fits-all” answer to this question; it depends on what is right for your relationship. You may wish to continue your formal mentor-mentee relationship, stay in contact as friends or colleagues, or amicably part ways. The important thing is to have an open and honest conversation with your mentor/mentee about your next steps.
In making this decision, consider the following questions:
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Do I have enough time to devote to the continuation of the relationship?
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Will we continue to benefit from a formal relationship?
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In what ways are we both committed to the continuation of the relationship?
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Have we reached the goals of our relationship? Do we want to establish new goals?
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How often will we continue to stay in touch?
Whether or not you decide to end the relationship, it is an appropriate time to acknowledge the successes of your relationship, including the progress and strengths of the student as well as positive actions and directions for the future.
Some thoughts for reflection may include*:
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What have I learned about myself?
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What are my mentoring strengths?
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What do I wish I could learn to do better?
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How will I apply what I have learned?
If you mutually decide to end the relationship, this can be successfully accomplished by arranging a closure/celebratory meeting. This should be a time when both the mentor and mentee recognize their work as a team and appreciate each other!
*Gathered from The Leaderquest Mentor Program at the University of Minnesota
RSVP for the SPH Mentor Program Networking event and the Mentor Connection Appreciation Reception
by Karen Kaphingst
The Mentor Connection Appreciation Reception is right around the corner! Please join us on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, in the McNamara Alumni Center to celebrate the culmination of your participation in the SPH Mentor Program this year. Students, this is a great time to thank your mentor for his or her commitment and dedication to your personal and professional growth.
Everyone who participated in the SPH Mentor Program is invited to attend the evening's festivities, whether or not your mentor/mentee is able to make it. It will be an opportunity to meet new people, learn about various public health career experiences, and practice your networking skills. We hope to see you there!
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5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - SPH Mentor Program Networking Event in the Laukka room (located on the 2nd floor of the McNamara Alumni Center in the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's offices)
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5:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Mentor Connection Appreciation Reception in Memorial Hall (located on the first floor of the McNamara Alumni Center)
Keynote speaker: Darcy Pohland, Reporter - WCCO-TV (see end of newsletter for bio)
Please RSVP online this week at www.alumni.umn.edu/SPHmentorreception
Your input is valued! How would you describe your experience with the School of Public Health Mentor program this year? Please provide us with your honest and thoughtful feedback on the program. We welcome and appreciate your comments.
Student evaluation:
http://www.alumni.umn.edu/studentevaluation
Mentor evaluation:
http://www.alumni.umn.edu/mentorevaluation
Both surveys are anonymous and will remain online until April 30th. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.
National Public Health Week Film Festival
NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK is April 4-10!
Make plans to attend the Public Health Film Festival sponsored by the School of Public Health, the Minnesota Public Health Association, and the MPAC Film Committee.
Admission is free. The films will touch on key areas of pressing public health concern. They will be introduced by public health experts who practice or conduct research in the area highlighted in the film. Free snacks and refreshments will be served.
Times, Topics, Locations, and Films:
Monday, April 4th, 5 p.m.
Topic: Tobacco: Addiction, Prevention and Policy
Location: Mayo Auditorium
Films: "Making a Killing: Philip Morris, Kraft & Global Tobacco Addiction" and "The Insider"
Tuesday, April 5th, 5 p.m.
Topic: Chemical Dependency and Global Policy
Location: Mayo Auditorium
Films: "Meth: Shadow Across America," "Life After Meth," and "Life & Debt"
Thursday, April 7th, 5 p.m.
Topic: Natural Disaster: The Effects of a Tsunami
Location: Coffman Memorial Union Theater, 1st floor
Film: “Papua New Guinea-Tsunami: The Survivor's Story”*
*This evening’s film will be followed by refreshments, a viewing of footage from the Dec. 2004 tsunami, and a panel discussion at the Campus Club on the 4th Floor of Coffman Memorial Union
Friday, April 8th, 5 p.m.
Topic: Sexuality Education
Location: Mayo Auditorium
Films: “Sex Hygiene Scare Films” (from the 1930s-1960s), "Sex: A Guide for the Young" (designed for Danish teens), "Proper Condom Usage" ("South Park" episode), and "Teens & Sex in Europe: A Story About Respect, Rights & Responsibility"
Find more information at www.sph.umn.edu/news/phawarenessweek
HDR Engineering
www.hdrinc.com
April 15th, 2005, from noon to 4:30 p.m.
Focus: Architecture, engineering, and consulting
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Tour size: 10-25 students
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Location: Golden Valley, MN
Details: HDR is an architectural, engineering, and consulting firm that excels at managing complex projects and solving challenges for clients. As an integrated firm, HDR provides a total spectrum of services for clients. Staff professionals represent hundreds of disciplines and partner on blended teams nationwide to provide solutions beyond the scope of traditional A/E/C firms. The Minneapolis office employs over 80 individuals in the transportation, water/wastewater, environmental resource management, and facilities design sections. Please specify your interest or field of study when RSVPing for this tour. Transportation may be arranged if there is enough interest. Lunch will be provided.
RSVP Deadline: Tuesday, April 12. Contact Sara Beyer, sbeyer@it.umn.edu or 612-626-8282
Keynote speaker, Darcy Pohland, Reporter - WCCO-TV.
Darcy Pohland is the keynote speaker for the Mentor Connection Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, April 6, 2005.
Twelve years ago, WCCO-TV's Darcy Pohland fulfilled her dream of becoming a reporter - a dream she thought was impossible after an accident in 1983. Pohland, then a sophomore at George Washington University and a promising intern at WCCO's Washington, D.C., news bureau, dived into the shallow end of a swimming pool and broke her neck. The accident left her paralyzed from the chest down. Following the accident, Pohland, who grew up in the St. Paul suburb of Mendota Heights and graduated from Sibley High School, returned to Minnesota and completed her bachelor's degree in the College of Liberal Arts in speech-communication (now communication studies). In 1986, she joined WCCO as a dispatcher. After six years of dedicated work, she became a reporter - breaking ground as possibly the only quadriplegic TV reporter in the nation. Pohland, now a general assignment reporter, covers city government and the University of Minnesota, her two "beats." She considers herself an avid Golden Gopher sports fan, and she supports her alma mater be serving on the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's National Board. Pohland is not only a familiar face on WCCO-TV news, but is also a dedicated public servant, giving back to her community by speaking to companies and community groups to raise awareness of people with physical challenges.
Contact the SPH Mentor Program
If you have questions or comments for the SPH Mentor Program, please contact:
Michelle Lian-Anderson, Associate Director
Alumni Relations and Events Management
Dean's Office School of Public Health
University of Minnesota
MMC 197 Mayo Memorial Building
420 Delaware Street S. E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-626-5536
Fax: 612-626-6931