The award-winning Peer Outreach Mentoring Program (POMP) at the 女仆AV\u2019s Rosen College of Hospitality Management recently awarded accolades of its own to some of its most dedicated and inspiring members. POMP, which helps at-risk, probationary, and readmitted students improve their grades through peer mentorships, honored a Mentee of the Year, Mentor of the Year, and an Alumni Mentor of the Year during the program\u2019s semester-ending ceremony.<\/p>\n
Seniors Jasmine Kouly and Meiling Kjerulff, plus alumna Kristine Beselica, \u201911, were chosen as the first-ever recipients of the awards and were honored in front of faculty, fellow POMP participants, and volunteers of the UCF Alumni Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach of these individuals not only exemplified the mission and goals of POMP, but have also gone above and beyond to make the program, as a whole, better,\u201d said POMP director Vanessa Cogswell.<\/p>\n
As Mentor of the Year, Kouly received a $1,000 award, plus a plaque of recognition. Kjerulff and Beselica received plaques for Mentee of the Year and Alumni Mentor of the Year, respectively, as well as gift baskets. All plaques were provided by the UCF Alumni Association.<\/p>\n
POMP finished the Spring 2013 semester with a 100% success rate, with all active mentees improving their UCF cumulative GPAs and averaging a 0.3685 increase in their term GPAs.<\/p>\n
The program pairs struggling students with peer mentors to deliver presentations on important academic and social topics, such as test-taking strategies and stress management tips, during the program\u2019s biweekly meetings. The goal of this effort is to not only gain organizational and scholarly advice, but also to create a support system between the mentors and mentees.<\/p>\n
UCF faculty and staff also help facilitate workshops to enhance the members\u2019 academic, professional, and personal growth.<\/p>\n
POMP will resume its regular bi-weekly meetings at the beginning of the Fall 2013 term.<\/p>\n