The past year has been an astronomical one for
S.T.A.R. S.T.A.R., (Students Teaching Academic
Responsibilities) is a student mentoring program in which
upperclassmen inform, guide, and help freshmen students become
acquainted with the university and The School of Education, as a
whole. Mentors and Mentees are paired up based on their majors, and
together they attend events to help students adjust socially and
academically to their new surroundings.
STAR kicked off the 2011-2012 year with the School of Education
BBQ. This was one of the first chances in which the mentors
and mentees were able to meet and bond. The STAR-run programs
have a warm, inviting way about them. Everyone is working
together, learning together, and creating a family-like unit, which
will last them a lifetime. Together, students mingled with
good food and good company.
Mentors and Mentees continued their journey throughout the year,
growing and thriving all along the way. With the S.T.A.R.
team, it is easy to stay active and involved in the
university. S.T.A.R. has a Twitter, Blog, and Facebook Group;
all in which students are able to share and explore what the
program has to offer. Through these social networking sites,
members can get updates on events coming up as well as reviews,
blogs, and pictures of past events. In addition, members have
the ability to share information about S.T.A.R. to
others. Mentors have regular meetings in which they discuss
how to improve their skills. Buddies also have meetings in
which they can give input on what they want to see happen within
The School of Education. S.T.A.R. embodies the sharing of
ideas and knowledge, all while creating a family-like unit, which
is exactly what The School of Education offers each one of their
students.
From BBQ’s, to Bake Sales, to Game Nights, to Fundraisers, to
Halloween and theme parties, all the way to simple surveys in which
S.T.A.R. can improve, it is no question that the team has come
together to create an extraordinary program here on campus.
As the school year winds down, S.T.A.R. certainly does
not. Constantly planning the future of the program, the
S.T.A.R. team flourishes as a positive and dynamic group at St.
John’s University.
-Dana Hetzel