Students who participated in the circles last year reported receiving much needed personal, academic, and professional support and enjoying their (virtual) interactions with both their scholar-mentor and peers during an unprecedented time. Many of the bonds formed have endured. This year, we expect the value of the scholars’ mentoring to be even greater as we are afforded in-person, as well as virtual, opportunities to interact.
Eligibility:
Any UB-enrolled undergraduate (or graduate) student, including those studying remotely, regardless of field of study. Students can choose a preferred mentor who is in any field; the student need not be in the scholar’s discipline or field.
Structure:
Each scholar will lead a 10-student graduate mentoring circle and a 10-student undergraduate circle. Each circle will meet (virtually and in-person, following COVID protocols) at least three times/semester as a group. (Scholars will meet individually with student mentees as the scholars and students choose.) The circles will be in place for the full academic year, although students expecting to graduate in December are welcome to participate while enrolled.
Activities:
Scholars and their mentees will determine the events of interest to their group, but the aim is to engage in activities that support students in their personal, academic, and professional lives and are (for lack of a better word) fun as well as edifying. Virtual participation will be possible in many if not all events/activities.
Examples: film watch parties; attending live and virtual performances; outdoor gatherings; tours of historic and culturally significant sites in Buffalo; gallery and museum visits (virtually and/or in person); readings and discussions; group attendance at UB events; and virtual networking and professional conference attendance.
We are particularly attentive to the potential benefits to minoritized students at UB of connecting with the scholars who are themselves from historically underrepresented groups in academia and deeply invested in contributing to all students’ sense of belonging at UB.
How Students Can Sign Up:
Students complete a brief survey about themselves and rank order their preferred mentors. The preliminary deadline is Monday, October 11thbut as new surveys are received, students will continue to be “matched” to mentors until circles are full. The survey also provides students with a link to a box folder where student can entirely optionally submit a more detailed statement regarding their personal goals/interests to any of the preferred mentors they selected.
Thank you for your support of the DVS program and these mentoring opportunities for students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at: maurabel@buffalo.edu, stop by Clemens 638a, or call 645-6038.
Stay up – to – date on campus guidelines and health and safety measures this semester! Check out all COVID related updates by clicking the Health and Safety tab on the COVID-19 Planning and response webpage. Remember, if you are going to be on campus, make sure to complete your Daily Health Check!
You’ve probably heard of the saying “leaders aren’t born, they’re made” by Vince Lombardi. But HOW are they actually made? Can anyone be a leader? In this Podcast, we talk to everyone – those that have your typical leadership positions and those in some unexpected roles – and break down how they got to where they are while uncovering their secrets of great leadership. Join us monthly on a journey of other’s leadership experiences so that you can discover your own. Everyone can be a leader, you just have to learn how! Check it out on Spotify! New episodes every Monday!
Learn more about this year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend events! Invite your families to participate and join us the weekend of October 1 for events such as Family Night Trivia, Family Weekend Social and more!
Registration in advance is required for each event. Find event information and registration details here.
Alternative Break Info Session
Learn more about Alternative Break trips and travel locations through our final online information session! We are excited to offer trips focusing on social justice issues during the 2021-22 academic calendar, including: Civic Engagement Environmental Justice Poverty Alleviation Refugee Resettlement Alternative Break programs let you volunteer, perform community service and have unique learning opportunities during your winter or spring break. You’ll learn about your role as a global citizen, make new friends and connections, and discover how you can become an agent of change.
Location: Join Event Online via Zoom Date and Time: Wed., Sept. 29 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Workshop: Public Speaking
This workshop will give you the tools you need to overcome your fears of presenting in front of large groups. Some of the topics we will discuss include non-verbal communication, confidence, presentation styles, and even what to do when you are stumped. Be afraid of the spot light no longer.
Online Location:After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Location: 210 Student Union Date and Time: Thurs., Sept. 23 from 12 – 1 p.m
UB Kind: Jarring Honey with UB Bees
Join Student Engagement for an on-campus service activity to jar UB Bees honey to be donated and distributed through Blue Table.UB Bees is an on-campus organization working to educate the UB and WNY communities about the benefits of having bees in our ecosystems. Find out more information about how to get involved from this website.Blue Table is an on-campus food pantry open to any individual with a UB ID. The pantry is located on the second floor of the student union. Find out more information about how to get involved here.
Location: 145 A Student Union Date and Time: Wed., Sept. 29 from 3 – 5 p.m.
Here to Career Student Employee of the Month Nominations
Do you know a student employee that deserves special recognition? Nominate a friend, co-worker, or yourself for the Here to Career Student Employee of the Month Award. To nominate someone:*RSVP to this event on UB Linked*Answer the questions*Click Submit
Date and Time: Thurs., Sept. 30 – by 11:30 p.m
Winners will be notified at the end of each month and announced at the beginning of the next month.
Community Day 2021
Join Student Engagement, Community Relations and the entire campus community for this longstanding service tradition!
We will be partnering with organizations all over Buffalo to volunteer on various projects that will better our shared community.
Become a Virtual Tutor for South African Youth As a volunteer for this project, you will tutor high school students in South Africa via Google Meets or Zoom. The highest need is currently for tutors in Mathematics and Geography.
Contribute to GWEM Magazine Global women’s empowerment is desperately needed. With so many challenges and obstacles related to access and equity, it is critical that we come together to highlight stories of women and women’s initiatives empowering communities and making change.
Collaborate with Africa New Hope Project (ANEHOP) ANEHOP supports communities through social innovation, sustainability, and economic empowerment. You can help steward the next phase of its evolution by contributing in the areas of women’s health, computer applications, and more!
The Experiential Learning Network offers funding to support undergraduate students working on mentored projects or presenting at virtual conferences. To apply, complete the application steps via our website by October 6, 20201!Project Funding:Take your innovative projects to the next level with funding to support your work related to projects listed on the Project Portal.Conference Funding:Share the exciting results and impacts of recent or current projects at an upcoming virtual conference presentation.
716 Squash is a long-term and intensive youth development organization. We empower youth in the city of Buffalo to reach their full potential by providing life-changing opportunities through education, mentoring, service, and the sport of squash.
The main focus of our program is supporting our individual student’s academic needs. We are looking for volunteers to help our 6th-9th graders with their homework in various subjects. Volunteers work with 1-3 students with guidance from our Director of Education, Sarah.
We have volunteer opportunities Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 3:30-6. Our ask is that volunteers try to commit to the same day of the week so they can work with the same students. The best-case scenario for us is someone volunteering once a week, but we’ve had success with other scenarios and have a lot of flexibility.
For more information, please direct students to www.716squash.org. Any interested volunteers can email Sarah@716squash.org to learn more and get started!
Posted by Tim on September 17, 2021 in Uncategorized
If you’re interested in mentored research or community projects, but don’t know where to start, attend a 1-hour Project Workshop hosted by the Experiential Learning Network. The workshop is designed to help you assess your current skills and areas for growth, explore potential projects and start one that aligns with your goals. At the end, you will be on your way to beginning a mentored project and earning a digital badge to display new skills and accomplishments on your resume or portfolio. Learn more or sign up to attend a workshop in early November!
Fellowships and Scholarships Roundup: STEM Edition
Undergraduate Opportunities Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship What: Students who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. Who: Sophomores and juniors planning to pursue a PhD in STEM, have research experience, and a 3.8 or higher GPA. Students must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident. Deadline: November Learn more about the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
Morris K. Udall Scholarship What: This scholarship is for students who intend to become leaders in any field related to the environment, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice and economics. The foundation particularly seeks to support future Native American and Alaskan Native leaders. Who: Full-time sophomore or junior with at least a 3.0 GPA and is involved in an area of study related to the Udall Scholarship. Deadline: December Learn more about the Morris K. Udall Scholarship.
Open to Undergraduates and Graduates National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Program (NSF GRFP) What: Funding for students pursuing graduate degrees in mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, behavioral and social sciences. There are various award types available, see program website for all availabilities. Who: Graduating seniors or students in their first or second year of graduate school. Applicants must also have a high GPA and past research experience. Deadline: October Learn more about NSF GRFP.
Graduate Opportunities National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31—Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellowships What: Provides predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specified health and health-related areas, with the intent of leading to a research doctoral degree (PhD). This award is also intended to promote diversity in the health-related research workforce. Who: Students must be enrolled in a research doctoral degree program and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Deadline: Various Learn more about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) F31—Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Fellowships
Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program Tip of the Day The editing process is crucial. First drafts usually aren’t perfect, give yourself the time and utilize available resources to polish your application. The Office of Fellowships and Scholarships is always willing to review applications with students, and the Center for Excellence in Writing has an amazing staff that can help as well.
Fellowships and Scholarships Roundup: STEM Edition 
