BOOM Mentoring Guide
What is BOOM?
BOOM or Beta Omicron Omicron Mentoring is a peer-mentoring program designed to provide support
and guidance to students as they adjust to college life. New and inexperienced students are paired
with Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society members who help them navigate their first semester here at
John Tyler Community College.
A peer mentor can help new students:
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Connect to campus services and resources
Find information on important policies and dates
Discover better time management strategies
Become familiar with using Blackboard, SIS, and college e-mail (Gmail)
Make wise choices that will lead them toward their goals
Begin taking action regarding their academic and career goals
Why use BOOM?
Research shows that students who are mentored typically have more confidence, higher grade point
averages, and a higher overall level of satisfaction with their college experience.
The BOOM program offers benefits to all who participate:
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Through regular contact with a mentor, student mentees become familiar with campus services
and resources, and develop the skills and habits of independent, successful learners.
Student mentors develop and refine valuable skills, such as leadership and interpersonal
communication.
FAQs
1. What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is a one-on-one relationship in which a PTK-BOO member provides guidance to a Tyler
student, who is working towards successful graduation. The mentoring relationship develops as a
student requests advice and guidance from the assigned BOO member who offers solutions to academic
questions and frustrations. The mentoring relationship is formed outside of regular classroom activity,
and within the confines of all institutional policies, rules, codes of conduct, and regulations.
2. What is a Mentee?
A mentee is a student who volunteers to be assigned to a John Tyler Community College PTK-BOO
member. S/he will ask for guidance when academic questions or frustrations arise.
3. Am I qualified to be a Mentee?
Mentee qualities are as follows new students seeking guidance about JTCC activities, processes, sand
student life.
4. What does a mentor do?
A mentor will set up a regular meetings/contact with their mentee. S/he will meet with their mentee
in-person (on-campus), communicate by email, or have a phone conversation. Discussion topics range
from academic successes to other challenges. S/he will provide guidance to their mentees questions
and concerns. S/he is to be used as a resource to assist a mentee with navigating the John Tyler
Community College system. S/he will serve as an introduction for their mentee to various campus
services.
5. Is there anything that I cannot ask a mentor to do?
A mentor cannot replace a service that is offered by John Tyler Community College for which s/he is
not responsible. S/he is not a tutor, editor, and cannot and will not serve as an academic or financial
advisor.
6. How much time does Mentoring require?
The mentor and mentee commitment is minimally 30 minutes per week. The mentor and mentee work
together to set a regular meeting schedule for the duration of the academic semester
7. What are the benefits of being a mentee?
Mentees have the privilege of being introduced to seasoned and high-achieving student of the college
with whom they might not otherwise have contact. In general, students who have mentors participate,
more frequently, in classroom and extra-curricular activities, gain more real life experiences, and have
higher graduation rates from the institution at which they started.