Keele Mentors; something to really blog about!

After a rather lengthy hiatus, (virtually speaking) the associated guilt, fused with a colleague recently asking how the blog is going (which led to me having to admit that I had slammed into the blogging equivalent of the 19 mile wall - the reality being that I was only metres beyond the start line - shameful!) I have put finger to tablet, to again  record my thoughts and feelings with regard to life within the Student Affairs profession and to ensure that the amazing work undertaken by colleagues and students at Keele, to enhance the student experience is documented and celebrated.

It's actually a great time to reconnect. After months of work behind the scenes in gauging student reaction, meeting with colleagues, benchmarking great work across the sector, taking the constructive and welcoming the encouragement to commit and follow through we find ourselves taking some brave first steps towards establishing a Pan-University peer mentoring scheme - Keele Mentors http://bit.ly/xUwKSV will kick off this upcoming academic year by providing students in a number of Academic Schools as well as all international and mature students with the opportunity to connect with a current Keele student - someone who has been there, done it and who is very likely to have the Keele Hoodie!

We never underestimate just how varied the student experience, particularly in the first few days and weeks can be. As such, whether our new students are excited, nervous, intrepid, anxious, relaxed or unphased as they approach September and their start to life as a Keele student, our Keele Mentors will play an important role in ensuring that this important transition is supported and that new students  are provided with all the information, advice and support they need to make their Keele student experience a great one.

Thanks in advance to all of our Keele Mentors; we know you'll be amazing pioneers as we embark on this first year of the scheme  - we hope in a few years that mentoring at Keele is just something that you do; because it's the right thing to do.