For the second year, Project MALES is offering its undergraduate mentors at the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) the opportunity to enroll in Instructing Males through Peer Advising College Tracks (IMPACT), a one-hour service-learning course offered through the College of Liberal Arts. The course meets once a week and is co-instructed by Dr. Sáenz and Dr. Campos and the mentoring team. The course objectives are to enhance college student engagement and academic achievement by offering active and experiential learning opportunities through near peer advising within the Austin Independent School District partner schools. This year, undergraduate mentors will have the opportunity to continue mentoring at Webb Middle School, Travis High School, Reagan High School, and Lanier High School. In addition, undergraduate mentors will also have the opportunity to begin mentoring at Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy.
IMPACT emphasizes active learning in different environments, enables students to see and experience the relationship between theory and practice, and provides students with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Students in the course will also have an opportunity to join the Project MALES Student Organization as a way to stay connected and involved on campus, and within the local UT-Austin community. Project MALES looks forward to a successful semester and academic school year for all.