Staff Spotlight
Christy Thomas
As Easy as 1-2-3, Christy Thomas Connects Students with Mentors for Success
For almost ten years, Christy Thomas has served as a friendly and welcoming presence for students who visit the IU Southeast mentoring program.
“It has been a joy for me to connect to students,” said Thomas, mentoring program coordinator. “I get to work with them throughout their whole life cycle as a student, from excited and unsure freshman to alumni who come back to mentor a new class of students. I love seeing students connecting to other students, professors, mentors, alumni and getting involved with campus activities and organizations.”
Thomas initially started out as a part time administrative assistant in the mentoring office with June Huggins and moved to a full time position as an administrative assistant to the vice chancellor for enrollment, marketing, and student affairs. She was recently hired as the mentoring coordinator, with her office now housed in the career development center She also serves as the staff council vice president. This past year Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Service Clerical Award at the 2021 State of the Campus ceremony for her outstanding work.
Christy Thomas hosts a Mentoring table at a recent orientation event
Mentors and mentees build their own penguins as part of mentoring activity
Peer mentors and mentees participate in a balloon challenge at the College Summer Institute in summer 2022
Three Step Process at IU Southeast Mentoring Program
Thomas explains that the mentoring program is designed to encompass all facets of a student’s experience at IU Southeast and prime them for success. The most at risk students are encouraged to participate in the program, but any and all students are welcome to utilize these resources.
Step One – Peer Mentoring
Incoming freshman are paired up with an upperclassman mentor for the entire year. The peer mentor aids with answering campus life questions, checking in with how classes are going and scheduling time to connect in person over coffee or lunch. There are also monthly mentoring events like escape room games and other fun activities to encourage more connection.
Step Two – University Mentoring
Sophomore year, students are connected with a faculty or staff member in their field of study. These university mentors can answer questions specifically about classes and career options within their chosen degree. Monthly meetings are scheduled to foster these mentee/mentor relationships and spark conversation.
Step Three – Career Readiness
The final step is to pair juniors and seniors with an alumni or employer in their intended career. Thomas describes this step as preparing for job readiness. Mentors can provide information on internships, job shadowing opportunities, or just general information about the field. The goal is to provide the student with the chance to ask a working professional questions and gain valuable career insights.
Mentor, Cari Edwards (right) with her student mentee, Niaza McElroy at a fall craft event
Mentee, Jesika Torres, shows off her fall craft with mentor Shelia Gustafson
Peer mentors for the College Summer Institute gather at Hillside Hall
Easy for Alumni to Get Involved
There are 42 freshman mentees and 21 peer mentors, 34 sophomore to senior students, and 34 staff or professor mentors involved in the 2022 program. The career readiness portion of the program is brand new for 2023 and Thomas is looking to add more alumni mentors as the program grows.
“This is a great way for alumni to give back and invest in the success of other IU Southeast students,” said Thomas. “The time commitment for mentors is minimal. Even if you might be new in your career and may not have a lot of monetary resources to donate, you can give your time and offer advice.”
Any alumni interested in participating in the mentoring program can call Thomas at (812) 941-2516 or visit Mentoring Program: IU Southeast.
You Belong at IU Southeast
Thomas strives to foster a sense of belonging in IU Southeast students and thoroughly enjoys her job.
“I love it when I can see an incoming student and their eyes light up when they find out how much support is available,” said Thomas. “This helps them feel like this is their university and it reassures them they are not alone. It’s the simple things like knowing that there are other students, professors or staff they can connect with or just say hello to in the hallway. I watch them go from wide eyed to feeling at home. I love watching that journey.”