2008 Woodie Awards
New CCAK director welcomed this fall
Ben Herbst
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Following the departure of former Colby Cares About Kids Director Ru Freeman this summer, the program was without a director for the first few weeks of school. However, the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, the parent organization of the program, recently announced that Moira Bentzel is the new director.
"I just think that it is such a wonderful program. There are benefits for both the mentor and the mentee," she said. Bentzel hopes to have returning mentors in schools by Oct. 1 and new mentors by Oct. 15. "People here have been so supportive because they realize the importance of the program."
Bentzel used to work at the Albert S. Hall School in Waterville, where she was a site coordinator for CCAK. She worked at the school for 17 years before leaving in 2005.
Bentzel's interaction with student mentors from the College outdates CCAK. Before the program began in 2001, she was involved in a mentoring program where Professor of Education Lyn Mikel Brown matched fifteen female students with girls at the Hall School; "Colby realized that they needed to do more," Bentzel said.
In the Spring of 2001 Zacamy Professor of English Peter Harris led a class in a service learning project that paired students with mentees in Waterville, and from that a proposal was created for a mentoring program; CCAK was launched the following fall to an "overwhelming response," according to Bentzel.
The program started with two sites; the Hall School and the Alfond Youth Center, and has grown to include sixteen sites in Waterville, Benton, Clinton, Winslow, Vasselboro, Oakland and Fairfield. Now between 200 and 300 students participate each year.
To start with this year Bentzel has about 100 students returning, and 200 new students who signed up for the program (150 of these students are first-years). To begin with students are asked to attend an information session, complete an application and interview, and if chosen attend training sessions before being matched with a mentee. CCAK asks that students dedicate at least three semesters with a local student, and encourage students to develop longer relationships.
While Bentzel clearly stressed the positive aspects and importance of CCAK, she said academics are first for mentors. "Academics have to come first... [the program] helps students find a balance with getting involved civically and class work."
Her initial impression of the program from an administrative point of view is positive. "I'm excited about being here helping it grow," she said, adding that the student-led aspect of CCAK has been developed extensively since its beginning. "I'm still seeing how the program has grown."
Once the initial workload of getting the program ready at the beginning of the semester subsides, Bentzel will work closely with the Goldfarb Center and will be involved in program planning.
"I have always been so blown away by the quality community of Colby students," she said.
"I just think that it is such a wonderful program. There are benefits for both the mentor and the mentee," she said. Bentzel hopes to have returning mentors in schools by Oct. 1 and new mentors by Oct. 15. "People here have been so supportive because they realize the importance of the program."
Bentzel used to work at the Albert S. Hall School in Waterville, where she was a site coordinator for CCAK. She worked at the school for 17 years before leaving in 2005.
Bentzel's interaction with student mentors from the College outdates CCAK. Before the program began in 2001, she was involved in a mentoring program where Professor of Education Lyn Mikel Brown matched fifteen female students with girls at the Hall School; "Colby realized that they needed to do more," Bentzel said.
In the Spring of 2001 Zacamy Professor of English Peter Harris led a class in a service learning project that paired students with mentees in Waterville, and from that a proposal was created for a mentoring program; CCAK was launched the following fall to an "overwhelming response," according to Bentzel.
The program started with two sites; the Hall School and the Alfond Youth Center, and has grown to include sixteen sites in Waterville, Benton, Clinton, Winslow, Vasselboro, Oakland and Fairfield. Now between 200 and 300 students participate each year.
To start with this year Bentzel has about 100 students returning, and 200 new students who signed up for the program (150 of these students are first-years). To begin with students are asked to attend an information session, complete an application and interview, and if chosen attend training sessions before being matched with a mentee. CCAK asks that students dedicate at least three semesters with a local student, and encourage students to develop longer relationships.
While Bentzel clearly stressed the positive aspects and importance of CCAK, she said academics are first for mentors. "Academics have to come first... [the program] helps students find a balance with getting involved civically and class work."
Her initial impression of the program from an administrative point of view is positive. "I'm excited about being here helping it grow," she said, adding that the student-led aspect of CCAK has been developed extensively since its beginning. "I'm still seeing how the program has grown."
Once the initial workload of getting the program ready at the beginning of the semester subsides, Bentzel will work closely with the Goldfarb Center and will be involved in program planning.
"I have always been so blown away by the quality community of Colby students," she said.
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