Mentorship program between Augusta University and local high school continues to grow

Having a mentor in high school can be a life-changing experience. Oftentimes students aren’t certain what their future plans are or the options they have, but with a mentor that’s close to their age, the path may come more into focus.

The relationship between Augusta University and Laney High School was developed after Laura Williamson, PhD, director of the Center for Bioethics and Health Policy within the Institute of Public and Preventive Health and faculty in the proposed School of Public Health, was looking to build relationships with our local community. The program is supported by the Black Student Nurses Society at AU.

Williamson is always looking for more students to participate in the program and is working with student organizations, including the Black Student Nurses Society, to bolster the number of mentors. She’s encouraged by not only the feedback from Augusta University, but from Laney High School principal Cordaryl Middleton, PhD.

“Dr. Middleton has so much enthusiasm for mentoring at Laney High School,” said Williamson. “He is such an inspiring principal and is keen to support his students. This year, Maria Powell has joined his team and ours, which is so very helpful.”

A year ago, mentors and their mentees were meeting about once a month. This year, mentors have invested more time to meet more frequently, including making themselves available when needed outside their planned meetings.

Osarume Ogala is a student mentor at Augusta University who has a close connection to the program. Ogala, a cell and molecular biology major in the College of Science and Mathematics, is a Laney High School graduate and is excited to now give back to his alma mater.

“When I got to college, I realized there were some things I wish I had learned in high school about college,” said Ogala. “Therefore I thought, OK, I want to start a mentorship program that would allow me to be the mentor to people who might appreciate it because I would have appreciated a college mentor.”

Marcus Booker is Ogala’s mentee and has been picking his brain about not only the college application process but also how college is vastly different than high school.

“I wanted someone to help tutor me and show me what I can do in college,”
Booker said. “I knew I should go through the mentorship program because I could not pass up this chance with a college student who could help walk me through it.”

Brihana Lewin is a College of Nursing student who became involved in the mentorship program in the spring of 2023. Lewin expressed how she wishes she had a mentor when she was in high school since she admits she was a bit on the rebellious side. Now, she sees a reflection of herself in her mentee, Hailey Brown.

“I see so much of myself in her so it’s just a great opportunity,” said Lewin. “When I was in 10th grade, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Now I’m able to help her or lend her a guiding hand.”

Brown went into this without a lot of expectations but has taken quite a bit out of their relationship. Some of it has been simply providing motivation.

“Brihana helped motivate me to do better in classes like Spanish,” said Brown. “She encouraged me to focus on what I do in school and anywhere else in life.”

“Getting involved with this mentorship program has really shown me that I can still learn a lot from other people, even being a mentor myself. It also shows that if you are put in a position to help someone and put a foot forward for them, you should do so.”

Brihana Lewin

Along with time in the classroom, mentors and mentees have been going well beyond. They share contact information and have built a relationship of trust where they can exchange a text or a phone call. That’s not lost on Middleton.

“It is making a difference in some of the mentees’ lives,” said Middleton. “They are developing a quality relationship with one another. Speaking with the mentees, the majority have expressed excitement to have a big brother or sister that they are able to talk to and hold them accountable, as well as the opportunity to receive advice from someone else besides their family members and school personnel.”

So far, it’s been a win-win for everyone as valuable knowledge is being acquired by the mentees, as well as the Augusta University mentors.  

“Getting involved with this mentorship program has really shown me that I can still learn a lot from other people, even being a mentor myself. It also shows that if you are put in a position to help someone and put a foot forward for them, you should do so,” said Lewin.

“This is definitely a critical period for them as they decide what they want to do in college and what they want to do in the future. I’ve already spoken to my mentee about their future plans, and they kind of have a vision of their future career. So what I’ve done so far is just helping them to stay on the path,” added Ogala. 

Those looking to participate in the mentorship program can contact Williamson for more details.