First-Generation Mentorship Program Connects Students

Meeting someone from your hometown while you are in college is a fun coincidence for most students. But when you were born in another country, it is almost unheard of. But that is exactly what happened to Olivia Iraheta and Aleyda Callejas Cruz, two business students at Southeast Technical College.

Iraheta and Callejas Cruz were not only both born in El Salvador, but also are from the same city, Sensuntepeque. The two found one another through a peer-to-peer mentoring program at Southeast Tech.

The Office of Access and Workforce Opportunity Mentorship Scholarship launched in fall 2022 and provides first-generation students the opportunity to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.

“My experience with the AWO mentorship program has been wonderful,” said Callejas Cruz, a program mentee and accounting student. “Olivia knows my background well, and I feel so lucky to have a mentor to relate to that really understands me.”

Marcella Prokop, AWO director, said the program was directed specifically for first-generation students because of unique challenges they may face.

“When you don’t have a parent or caregiver who has completed college to guide you, there are a lot of things that could be easy to miss – like forms, deadlines and meetings,” Prokop said. “Having a mentor with a similar background to your own, who has just experienced these things themselves, can help keep new students from missing things or feeling overwhelmed by the process.”

During the program’s inaugural application period, 266 students expressed an interest in participating, which Prokop said speaks to the program’s demand.

“There are definitely a number of students at STC that either would like to have a little more assistance or want to share what they’ve learned with others,” Prokop said.

Iraheta, who is a second-year student in STC’s marketing program, said being a mentor has been rewarding.

“It has been great to connect with another student with a background similar to mine and see my mentee gain confidence in herself and really come into her own,” Iraheta said.

That newfound confidence is related, in part, to Iraheta’s own successes.

Iraheta recently landed a position as a human resources assistant at BX Civil & Construction – a job she initially was not sure she qualified for. But, through the mentorship program, Prokop was able to assist her with the job application materials, conduct mock interviews and prepare her for work. After two interviews, Iraheta was offered the job and started in February.

“It is really satisfying to see Aleyda start to think about bigger things for herself as a result of my experience,” Iraheta said. “The mentorship has a lot of value for both the mentor and the mentee and is definitely a mutually beneficial relationship.”

How it Works

Incoming and current students at Southeast Technical College can apply for the mentorship program through STC’s scholarship application portal. Applications for the 2023-24 academic year will be accepted until March 31. Preference for mentor positions will be given to second-year students who were in a mentee role during the 2022-23 school year. Incoming students, regardless of age or program interest, are encouraged to apply.

Notifications will be sent to accepted students by the end of the spring 2023 semester, with an initial mentor/mentee match.

Once accepted, mentors and mentees will complete a training session during the fall 2023 semester.

Mentors in the program receive a $500 scholarship, and mentees receive a $50 gift card to the STC Bookstore for participating. The program is funded through a grant from the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

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