AU’s College Mentors for Kids Program Earns Chapter-of-the-Year Award
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Anderson, Ind. — The Anderson University College Mentors for Kids program has earned the organization’s 2023-2024 Chapter of the Year Award for small schools. In addition, chapter president Trey Whitted received the Chapter Leader of the Year award for all College Mentors for Kids chapters serving less than 40 students across the country.
“[These awards] are a testament to the work our staff and mentors put in to provide inspiring activities and mentorship to our Anderson Elementary kids every single week,” said Whitted.
AU’s chapter earned the award for its commitment to the program, activity quality, and engagement with families, the site manager, and the national office. It’s no small feat after the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the program.
“When I first became president of our chapter two years ago, the chapter had to be rebuilt from the ground up after Covid,” said Whitted. “We only had a handful of AU students mentoring about two or three Anderson Elementary students a week. Since then, we’ve grown to dozens of AU students mentoring up to 16 elementary students a week.”
AU’s chapter was also applauded for prioritizing recruiting mentors from diverse backgrounds and its intentionality about getting College Mentors for Kids in front of different student populations on campus. The chapter fostered a culture of inclusion with regular mentor development sessions.
“This growth demonstrates the power of mentoring,” said Whitted. “I believe that providing children a space where they can explore opportunities for their future is one of the most meaningful ways to help guide the next generation, and I’m grateful to have this outlet to benefit the kids in our community.”
“[AU students] have worked hard to forge new networks and to rebuild quality programming, as well as to continually recruit and train new members so more Madison County children are able to be removed from the waitlist and paired with a mentor each semester,” said Carrie Clay, faculty advisor. “I could not be more proud of all they have already accomplished and of that which they continue to dream and work for.”
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.