Over the course of our collaborations with internal and external partners, one of the frequent questions we get is, “Can female students get involved with Project MALES?” Our response has always been, “Yes, absolutely…almost half of our mentors are female.” Borne out of our research work, we have learned that women can play a pivotal positive role in motivating young males of color to pursue and persist in higher education, be it mothers, sisters, friends, or partners. Some young men are more responsive to female mentors because they have license to be more vulnerable and perhaps forge lasting mentoring relationships with their mentor. Since we began our mentoring efforts, Project MALES has recruited and encouraged female students to become mentors and student leaders within our student organization. We asked a few to share their experiences about Project MALES and mentoring Latino males, here is what they shared.
Lidia Salazar
Year and Major?
I am currently a second year student pursing a Bachelor of Science and Arts degree with a Biochemistry major and I am planning to pursue a Business certificate.
How long have you been a mentor with Project MALES?
I began mentoring with Project MALES during my first semester at UT as a freshman. I had first heard about the program through UT Outreach when we took a field trip to the university campus as high school seniors and I decided to sign up for the opportunity to participate in the program. This will be my fourth semester working as a mentor with Project MALES.
What is your role with project males?
As a mentor, I am there to support the students in preparing their goals and aspirations for the future that they would like to follow. I am also there to encourage the student. As mentors, we are there to show that there is someone willing to be present in their success.
I am also the secretary for the Project MALES Student Council, which works hard to promote the purpose of the program that we work towards obtaining as mentors. As secretary, I work with the council to organize events in order to make the cause of Project MALES known and to endorse the successes and education of the Latino community.
As a female student mentor what does it mean to be a mentor for young Latino males? As a female student mentor, mentoring and supporting these young Latino males means that the knowledge of the issue is not limited. This isn’t strictly “the boys’ problem;” it affects everyone and everyone should do their part to ensure that the issues of educational injustice in society are being addressed. As a female mentor, I am simply a human being wanting to work towards the progress of humanity.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Project MALES?
Project MALES has, in my experience, been a great avenue in which culture and education, two important and personal subjects, are given prominence. It is important to remember where you come from to know where you are going. Project MALES has served as a reminder of that as I help the high school students and remember those who have helped me. From the Pláticas, to the curriculum and the community I have enjoyed being part of the organization and making a difference in the community.
Karina Roque
Year and Major?
I am a 3rd year studying International Relations and Global Studies with a focus in International Security.
How long have you been a mentor with Project MALES?
Since my freshman year, fall 2012.
What is your role with project males?
I currently serve as work-study, started off as a mentor and became work-study Fall 2013. I will also serve as the ambassador for the Project Males Student Council this upcoming semester.
As a female student mentor what does it mean to be a mentor for young Latino males?
Growing up with male brothers I have seen some of the hardships my brothers have faced for being Latinos in America. I know if I had not had a mentor in high school, I would not be where I am today, whether my mentor was male or female. Being able to provide these students with the smallest of advice can impact them in so many ways. Growing up underprivileged, sometimes you don’t know of all the opportunities available, and being a minority and growing up underprivileged myself, it makes it easier to connect with these young men even if I am a female mentor.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Project MALES?
It has been a great experience mentoring high school boys. Although sometimes it’s small, I have seen how some of these young men have grown throughout the year. It is hard to realize it, but sometimes you are the only person they really open up to and talk about what they really want to do after high school. We put them in positions where we force them to think about their future during a point in their life where some only think about work and making money.
Lena Brennan
Year and Major?
I am a senior, I am a working towards a Corporate Communications Major with a Business Foundations Certificate.
How long have you been a mentor with Project MALES?
Since August 2013.
What is your role with project males?
I mentor young high school male students of color during weekly mid-day sessions so they can have better understandings of their passions, jobs, and goals while also providing a reliable friendship and open environment.
As a female student mentor what does it mean to be a mentor for young Latino males?Mentoring, to me is about being a good role model. It is about guiding those who have not had as many experiences as you, to find their own path and experiences. As a mentor, I love to support whatever it is that makes them happy while simultaneously leading them in a direction that they can be both happy and successful. I encourage my students to push boundaries and learn about their opportunities. I love building relationships with students and motivating them to be excited about and prepared for each of their futures.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Project MALES?
It has been extremely fulfilling to touch and guide the lives of younger students. I love bringing smiles and opportunities to these young men that I did not get to have when I was in high school.
Lidia, Karina, and Lena are great examples of how our female student mentors contribute to improving schooling conditions for male students of color in Central Texas. We hope to continue attracting and recruiting more female student mentors with the same energy and dedication these ladies have demonstrated to their fellow Project MALES peers and their mentees.
