Mix, Match & Mentor: Collegiate 100 Creates Connections Through Mentorship

                                                                                                                                                 By Adyson Saunders

The Alabama A&M University chapter of Collegiate 100, a registered student organization affiliated with the national Collegiate 100 program of 100 Black Men of America Inc., brought students together for its Mentee Mashup, an interactive event designed to help prospective mentees connect with current members and learn more about the organization’s mentorship experience.

Collegiate 100 is a national campus-based program focused on mentoring, leadership and service, with chapters at colleges and universities across the country.

Rather than simply hearing about Collegiate 100, prospective mentees had an opportunity to meet members, share experiences and build relationships in a relaxed and engaging environment.

The Mentee Mashup used a rotation-style format, with prospective mentees moving from member to member throughout the event. The format gave participants an opportunity to interact with multiple Collegiate 100 members and experience different personalities, perspectives and leadership styles.

Conversations ranged from lighthearted icebreakers to discussions about college life, personal experiences and future goals. The rotations also helped prospective mentees identify members with whom they connected and who could potentially be a good fit as a mentor.

For Collegiate 100 members, the event provided an opportunity to strengthen their leadership and communication skills while creating a welcoming environment for students interested in mentorship.

Beyond the conversations and activities, the Mentee Mashup highlighted the importance of building meaningful relationships. Through mentorship, students can find support, encouragement and guidance from peers who understand the college experience and can help them navigate their personal and academic journeys.

By the end of the event, prospective mentees had connected with multiple Collegiate 100 members and gained a better understanding of the organization and its approach to mentorship.

Through the Mentee Mashup, Collegiate 100 created an informal setting for students to make connections that could develop into meaningful mentoring relationships.

Adyson Saunders is a member of Crew 75, Alabama A&M University’s student creative content team.