A&M-Commerce S.E.E.D.S. Office Receives Grant for Mentorship Program

The Serving Engaged Empowered & Diverse Students (S.E.E.D.S.) office at Texas A&M University-Commerce has received a grant of $62,310 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to develop a “Texas Work-Study Mentorship” program at the university.

Unlike the Texas Work-Study Program, which allows college students to hold a variety of jobs, THECB's Texas Work-Study Mentorship program specifically funds mentorship positions. These mentorships are mutually beneficial for both the mentors and their mentees, developing both parties' personal and academic success, improving retention, and providing funding to college students with financial need.

S.E.E.D.S. works to develop a spirit of inclusion and appreciation for diversity in a multifaceted campus community, working with various campus and community partners to provide support, resources, educational opportunities, and events that build inclusion.

Joshua Moore, Associate Director of S.E.E.D.S., will administer the program at A&M-Commerce. It will support students in the African American Male Mentorship Program (AAMMP), Latino American Mentorship Program (LAMP), Sista 2 Sista, and Mujeres de Accion. His goal for the program is to provide mentors for the campus community and aid retention. “Although working in the community would be ideal, for now, the focus will be on providing mentorship opportunities to the students on campus and to support the University's mission by retaining and graduating students of color,” Moore said.

The work-study program is open to Texas residents that demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at least half-time in a program of study. As reports show that financial aid, proper support, and academic preparedness are key factors in minority student retention in higher education, programs such as the Texas Work-Study Mentorship program are vital to retaining and graduating students of color and students with financial need