Community and Connection Programs
Applications for three optional programs, Ametrica, Lives of Commitment, and MentorUP, will open in late May. Each program is unique in its goals and commitment level. Students who are selected to participate find that the programs contribute to a sense of belonging and overall success at college.
Ametrica
Ametrica promotes dialogue, intercultural understanding, and friendship between domestic and international first-year, transfer, and exchange students. Ametricans (both international and domestic) participate in Pre-Orientation for International Students, which takes place before New Student Orientation, and attend weekly group meetings and occasional off-campus activities. Required weekly meetings are centered around small group conversations on a range of topics; examples include family, peace, current events, law and order, economics, health, and love. Participants are assigned a peer mentor as an additional link to the Macalester and International Student Programs communities. Ametrica ends in early November.
More about Ametrica
Bonner Scholars
Being a Bonner Scholar involves a commitment not only to service, but also to learning how to be an effective change agent for one’s campus, community, and beyond. Ideal Bonner candidates are passionate about community engagement and eliminating systematic inequalities, demonstrate community involvement, embrace working in a team setting, have leadership potential, and a commitment to the Bonner mission of “Access to Education & Opportunity to Serve.” Each year 12 new participants are selected to form a cohort. First-generation college students, Minnesota residents, and students who have participated in college access programs (e.g. QuestBridge, Upward Bound, College Possible, AVID, TRIO, etc.) are strongly encouraged to apply. To be eligible for the program, participants must have student employment as part of their financial aid package and a demonstrated commitment to community engagement.
More about Bonner
Lives of Commitment
Lives of Commitment is a year-long, cohort-based program for first-year students who are (1) passionate and curious about engaging with communities off-campus and throughout the broader Twin Cities, (2) intentional about building a strong on-campus community with other students, and (3) eager to work toward social change during and after their time at Macalester. After a pre-orientation retreat that grounds us in the history and complex social dynamics of Minnesota, students will form weekly volunteering groups at a local community organization off-campus, typically focused on adult literacy instruction or youth tutoring and after-school programming. The full Lives of Commitment cohort also gathers on-campus twice per month to reflect on each group’s volunteering work and explore various approaches to social change.
More about Lives of Commitment
MentorUP Program for Students with Disabilities
Macalester’s Center for Disability Services is excited to offer a mentoring program (MentorUP) specifically for first and second year students with disabilities who would like to connect with an experienced student who also identifies as disabled. Mentees receive communication and/or meet on a regular basis with mentors to explore ways to access both on and off campus resources and participate in MentorUP programming!
More about MentorUP