AMIG@S LOGO

About

The Amig@s program is a peer-mentoring program designed to help incoming students, with a specific focus on first generation college students, transition from high school to college. In addition, Amig@s provides upperclassmen an opportunity to gain mentorship and leadership experiences.

  1. Amig@s Peer Mentoring program is tailored to address the unique needs of 1st generation and underrepresented college students beginning their academic journey at Texas A&M.
  2. The program provides unique leadership and professional development opportunities for participating mentors.
  3. The program focuses on academic improvement by helping participants build a strong professional support system at A&M.
  4. The four Core Pillars of Amig@s are:
    • Academics
    • Identity
    • Culture
    • Legacy

Benefits of the Program

By being a mentor or a mentee of the program you will gain experience that is consistently sought after! You will gain a long lasting friendship with deep roots that can both be beneficial to both the mentor and mentee, but also anyone who knows either person because of the closeness that forms within the mentorship!

Mentor Benefits

  • Gain Leadership Experience
  • Develop Interpersonal Relationship Skills
  • Develop Time-Management Skills
  • Opportunity to make a positive impact
  • Other professional development opportunities
  • Learn from a colega (TAMU faculty/staff member)

Mentee Benefits

  • 1 on 1 meetings with upperclassmen
  • Develop a support system
  • Learn from a colega (TAMU faculty/staff member)
  • Develop transferable skills like time-management, communication, etc.
  • Other professional development opportunities

Expectations

Mentor

  1. Mentors will help mentee(s) get comfortable in this new environment, educate them about the opportunities around campus, develop their money/study/critical thinking skills, and so much more.
  2. Mentors will meet with mentees on a regular bi-weekly basis and will attend monthly program wide meetings. Mentees will be given tasks regularly and mentees will help them complete their tasks if needed
  3. Maintain a 2.5 GPA
  4. Attend all Amig@s gatherings and Mi Casa Es Su Casa events
  5. Meet with their colega at least once a semester
  6. Submit monthly progress reports

Mentee

  1. Mentees will meet with mentor on a biweekly basis and attend Amig@s programs, gatherings, and Mi Casa Es Su Casa events.
  2. Mentees will complete tasks assigned by program directors and mentors
  3. Mentees will actively participate in program activities
  4. Mentees will meet with their assigned colega at least once a semester.
  5. Submit monthly progress reports.

Meetings

  1. 1 on 1 Meetings
    • 1 on 1 meetings between mentor and mentee(s) are expected to occur on a biweekly basis. If time permits, mentors are highly encouraged to meet with mentees more frequently if it seems fit to do so or if they ask to do so.
  2. Group Gatherings
    • Group Gatherings will happen on a monthly basis. The objective of each Gathering is to provide the entire group new information and knowledge. We will have specific topics of discussion for each Gathering and bring in as many speakers as we can.
  3. Colega Meetings
    • Colega (or colleague) meetings are between mentee and/or mentor with their Texas A&M faculty or staff mentor. These will happen at least once a semester. Mentors and mentees, and their colega will have the opportunity to craft an authentic relationship grounded on mentor/mentee’s experiences as a first generation college student.

Recruitment

Applications are currently open until September 23rd, 2021 a 11:59 p.m.

Amig@s Coordinators

The Amig@s Coordinators will be chosen from the group of previous year mentors. The coordinators are chosen by CAMAC’s Retention Director through an application and interview process.

Mentors

Mentors are recruited from previous years of mentors and mentees alike. Mentors will go through a mandatory training to be a mentor at the beginning of their term. To apply for to be a mentor, visit tx.ag/amigomentor or click here.

Mentees

For the past year Mentees were recruited within the CAMAC general membership. We recently made a change to let Amig@s mentees be anyone who may be interested in this program. To apply for to be a mentor, visit tx.ag/amigomentee or click here.

Examples of the Topics To Be Discussed during the Amig@s Gatherings

  • Refund Talk
  • Building Trust
  • Academic Advising
  • Study Skills
  • Time Management
  • Self Help Skills
  • Networking Skills
  • Communication Skills
  • Facing Fears
  • Self Motivation & Purpose
  • Getting the most out of your college experience

Questions

If you have any questions comments or concerns please contact:

Director of Retention: VICTORIA MARGO 

Email: camacretentiondirector@gmail.com 

FAQs

A: Potential Mentors apply at the beginning of the fall semester . All applications are reviewed by the Education Director and the Amig@s Coordinators. The number of mentors is determined based on the amount of mentees.

A: To express interested in the Amig@s coordinator position, please indicate your desire to apply for coordinator on your Mentor Application. Interviews will be set up and a candidate will be selected by the Education coordinator and CAMAC Advisor. The coordinator should maintain membership within CAMAC for the full academic year. Previous mentorship within Amig@s is highly preferred, but not required.

A: Yes, there will be a training event once in the fall and once in the spring to outline the expectations of the program and strategies to be the best Mentor possible. 

A: Yes, if you are staying for both the fall and spring. If a 5th year student is only taking classes in the fall then graduating or going on an internship for the spring semester, it is preferred that they refrain from applying to be a mentor.

A: Yes, both mentors and mentees have to attend two Mi Casa Es Su Casa events.