
Students Impacting Lives on Campus and in the Community (SILCC) Mentoring Program
The Students Impacting Lives on Campus and in the Community (SILCC) Mentoring program is designed to offer incoming, transfer, and current students immersion opportunities to become more engaged with on-campus and off-campus community life.
The goal of SILCC is to provide personal support, academic assistance, social guidance, and positive campus survival skills by developing activities and interactions with peer mentors to address personal needs.
This support contributes to their academic success and enhances Winona State University's efforts in retaining and graduating underrepresented, undeserved, first-generation, and diverse students.
Who takes part in the program?
What do mentors do?
Mentors guide and support their mentee through their first year of college. Mentors help give real life experiences to their mentees in making good choices in their academics and social life here in Winona. They serve as confidence boosters as well as role models.
Mentors provide practical feedback. They share ideas, communicate knowledge, identify useful resources and help clarify educational and professional goals.
Mentors offer insights on a range of skills — developing time-management strategies, approaching faculty members and supervisors, preparing effective résumés, handling interviews and dressing for success.
What is the time commitment?
Each mentor is required to attend the Mentor Training. Each relationship develops its own pattern, but as a general rule a mentor is asked to spend two to three hours a month with their mentee.
Mentors are asked to document monthly meetings and create goals with their mentee.
The ongoing relationship is nurtured through individual contact and attendance to SILCC monthly events.
Why become a mentor?
Being a mentor you become a role model to students. You'll improve your coaching, communication, and leadership skills that you can take throughout your career and personal life.
A mentor makes a great impact in which students take with them wherever they go.
For Current SILCC Students
Why become a mentee?
Becoming a mentee you will be paired with a mentor that will help and guide you through your first year of college.
There will be opportunities to improve on your study skills, career skills, and making an impact within the community.
How to Join the SILCC Program
If you would like to be a SILCC Mentor, please fill out this Mentor Application form (PDF) and email it to Tyler Treptow-Bowman at tyler.treptow-bowman@winona.edu.
If you would like to participate and be a SILCC Mentee, please fill out the Mentee Application form (PDF) and email it to Tyler Treptow-Bowman at tyler.treptow-bowman@winona.edu.