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At Mentor Collective, we believe the secret to student and professional success is relationships. Connecting people to your network keeps it active and, most importantly, helps others gain access to the people, ideas, and opportunities that challenge old ways of thinking and make room for innovation.
Our work gives us the opportunity to interact with the academics, leaders, and administrators who work tirelessly to understand and improve student outcomes through mentorship. They go by many identities but have one thing in common – the desire to make an impact by challenging the way we think about higher education and the student experience.
We call them Mentorship Champions.
This month we’re pleased to announce our Mentorship Champion as Dr. Samantha Raynor.
Dr. Samantha Raynor serves as the Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Student Success Initiatives at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Samantha is a member of UNC Greensboro’s student success leadership team. She is responsible for managing the communities of practice in which UNCG is a member, managing and piloting student success projects, serving as the lead on UNCG’s transfer student initiatives, convening university-wide faculty work groups, and serving as a conduit between the Division of Student Success and other campus partners.
Dr. Raynor is an expert in student success theory, development, and interventions for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. Samantha earned her Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University.
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Dr. Raynor has been instrumental in helping share the success of UNCG's mentorship program with peer institutions. Read how theirTransfer2Transfer peer mentorship program has scaled since its launch in 2020 to engage approximately one-third of the school's incoming transfer, increasing sense of belonging and
on-campus resource utilization.
In addition to her own experiences with mentorship and what it means to her personally and in practice, Mentor Collective’s Head of Partner Marketing Alexandria Glaize discusses the value of student insights.
You can read or listen to Alexandria's interview with Dr. Raynor below:
Alexandria Glaize (AG): What does mentorship mean to you?
Dr. Samantha Raynor (SR): Couple of levels, peer-to-peer support plays a critical role in helping students to develop the skills and behaviors that are necessary for success and a huge component for normalizing the kinds of behaviors we want students to exhibit. Help-seeking, for instance - we want students to participate in the resources and services that we have on campus because they're paying for them, and we know that they will help them be successful.
Peer support helps get students to the door but also helps them unpack.
Another example is course content now - peers help each other unpack course content in ways they may not have on their own. Peers have a way of delivering content in relevant, fresh, and new ways that helps the light bulb go off. This kind of support can enable students to gain a deeper understanding of course content than they would have alone, providing them with the opportunity to ask questions that they may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to ask in front of their peers or instructors. Students often are much more comfortable disclosing certain things to one another than they would be to us, and we have thousands of students walking around on campus. They're much more accessible than it might be for someone to make an appointment with me, for instance or even Trina, our assistant director of initiatives. Or someone in our Academic Achievement Center.
On a professional level, mentors can be invaluable resources, particularly for individuals from underrepresented communities and backgrounds - people of color, women and etc. You know, there's so much power, just as there is for our students. Mentors can help guide their mentees through career advancement and navigating current changes in their respective industries. Professional mentors provide an opportunity for mentees to gain first-hand advice and information from someone who has already experienced similar challenges.
Mentorship is an important factor in both student and professional development, as it offers an invaluable learning experience that helps build long-term relationships between mentors and mentees.
AG: You are absolutely right; recognizing the need for mentorship and understanding how people can both request and offer it is crucial. I appreciate the emphasis on peer mentorship as not only providing general advice but also assisting students in unpacking and interpreting content in more meaningful and relevant ways. This aspect is particularly important when considering how we process information, digest content, and how our cultural backgrounds influence our understanding of language. Students must navigate these challenges, and having a peer who can help explain the material more profoundly can be invaluable in navigating that hidden curriculum.
SR: Mentorship is often perceived as support outside the classroom. While it certainly encompasses these aspects, mentorship can also happen within the classroom. A mentor who offers holistic support could also serve as a tutor, supplemental instruction leader, or peer academic leader connected to a specific course. Although we encourage students to maintain boundaries in certain positions, as their primary focus may be on course content, it's inevitable that they will seek guidance from peers with experience at the institution. This guidance may relate to issues tangential to the course content but is just as valuable for the student's overall growth and success.
What advice would you give to someone seeking a mentor or someone who may want to make the most out of their current mentoring relationships?
SR: In terms of maybe entering into a mentorship relationship, I'd say the first place to start is to look for people with that you have had a connection and that have made an impact. Maybe they've given good advice in the past, or you've been watching their work, and you're interested in what they've done. But there's got to be some connection there, to begin with, and then be clear about what it is you're looking for in that mentorship relationship. Are you wanting someone to help you navigate a job search? Are you wanting someone to help navigate a particular decision that you're having to make at work, or maybe you're working on an article for publication, and you need some support around that? So, think about what it is that you want out of the relationship and if the person you have your eye on is a good fit for that thing.
Consider multiple mentors. I have different mentors for different reasons, and not one mentor serves all the purposes most of the time.
In terms of maximizing the relationship, stay connected when you don't have an ask so that you don't lose the relationship that you initially built. And when you reach out, it's not always asking for a thing or support. There might be opportunities where you could support your mentor; who knows? I've had that happen a couple of times. I've done something, and a mentor said, hey, I really noticed the work you were doing in transfer, and it would be helpful if you could talk to so-and-so on my team about those projects you've been working on. You never know when you might be able to give back to your mentor, and kind of staying connected and keeping them updated on what you're doing might foster some reciprocal relationships that you could miss out on.
AG: I love this piece of staying connected when you don't have to ask. I think about the ways in which we think about the value of human connection and how we bring humanity into our mentoring relationships. How do we continue to be mindful of and humanize our mentors? One of the things that I appreciate about Mentor Collective is the way in which we think about the most essential skills needed for effective mentoring relationships; thus, we provide training to mentors and mentees.
How has the power of mentorship shown up in your life?
SR: I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I am a first-generation college student who grew up in a relatively rural town in North Carolina. As a small-town, low-income student with no prior experience in navigating the college process, my family and I faced numerous challenges when it came to selecting colleges and understanding financial aid awards. We had no idea what we were doing.
Mentorship played a crucial role in my college experience. Numerous individuals took an interest in my success, guiding me through major selections and writing recommendation letters for graduate school. When my stepfather had a catastrophic accident during my senior year, my academic advisor and mentor at that time informed me about the option of taking an incomplete. This allowed me to go home and be with my family while my dad was in ICU – something I wasn't aware of before. She took care of everything, and I graduated. Another example is that after college, I was fortunate to work at my alma mater, thanks to the connections I had made. Because folks knew my story and knew I needed a job; and they made that possible.
Applying for and navigating my master's was another place mentorship showed up. Graduate school was not on my radar. I barely made it out of college, though I graduated Summa Cum Laude, it was a hard road, and I did not want to go through that again. I had no concept of how to navigate graduate school. I was the first in my family to go to college. One of my supervisors persistently encouraged me to register for the GRE and apply to graduate school. Although I had no initial plans to pursue further education, his relentless support ultimately led me to complete my master's degree. 
Throughout my professional journey, various mentors have taken chances on me, recognizing my potential and helping me develop the skills needed to succeed in higher education. Mentorship has been the cornerstone of my educational and professional achievements. It's because of those who believed in me and said, "Yes, you can do this," that I've been able to overcome challenges and reach my goals.
AG: Whenever I hear stories about the impact of mentorship, I cannot help but become emotional. It's truly inspiring to see how mentorship connects us all and supports our individual journeys. Like many others, I have been influenced by people who have believed in me and guided me through various stages of my life. Their encouragement has resonated deeply with me, especially when navigating higher education without a clear roadmap.
As a first-generation graduate student, I faced unique challenges in adapting to an entirely different environment from my undergraduate experience. Without many people to guide me through this process, I realized the importance of having mentors and peers to help navigate not only academia but also life in general. When unexpected events occur, having access to wisdom and insight from those who have walked similar paths is invaluable.
What makes you want to champion mentorship?
SR: Had it not been for the mentors in my life, both past and present, I would not be where I am today. Recognizing the profound impact they had on me, I am committed to ensuring that our students have the same opportunities to benefit from mentorship. By connecting them with peer mentors and serving as a mentor myself, whether to students, staff, or friends, I aim to give back to others in the same way I have received guidance and support. Ultimately, it is about giving back and acknowledging that without the help of mentors, my journey might have been much more arduous and time-consuming.
AG: I appreciate the emphasis on giving back. I cannot help but reflect on the importance of student insights and the role they play in mentorship. It's true that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a mentor, and this is an unfortunate reality for many individuals.
One aspect I admire about our partners at Mentor Collective is their ability to gather and utilize student insights from both mentors and mentees. Higher education leaders can then use these insights to understand the challenges students face, the conversations taking place, and how these factors influence broader institutional strategies. This process highlights the significance of mentorship and its potential to create lasting, positive impacts on students' lives.
Leveraging Mentor Collective's peer-powered platform, what are you learning about your students right now??
SR: As you know, our mentorship program is currently focused on transfer students. Some of the most significant issues we've heard about include academic challenges, which seem to be more about adjusting to new educational expectations rather than capability.
Another concern is the imposter syndrome that transfers students experience at high levels, likely due to the unwarranted stigma associated with starting at a community college. These students are just as capable as first-time in college students and often possess valuable knowledge and experience that their peers may lack. Mentorship can help them understand that their feelings are normal and enable them to overcome self-doubt, reassuring them that they are capable of succeeding in their academic journey. You are capable of doing this; you made it here, you can make it to the end.
Mental health is another critical issue, as many students struggle with stress, anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, and a lack of motivation. It is essential to find ways to provide resources and support to help them manage these challenges. Through the flags raised by mentors on the Mentor Collective partner dashboard, we are able to leverage our wrap-around services to engage in meaningful conversations with students to address their concerns and guide them toward success.
AG: Thank you for sharing that. I continually appreciate the many aspects of mentorship, specifically within Mentor Collective (MC), and how the data and insights gathered from students benefit everyone involved.
One philosophy I hold dear is uplifting the most marginalized uplifts us all. Taking this concept and applying it to leveraging student voices makes me consider how this approach can aid the broader institution in supporting all students. I appreciate the time you've taken to share your responses to our questions, and it's an honor to uplift both you and the work you're doing.
Reach out to Alexandria Glaize at alexandria@mentorcollective.org to submit your nomination and help us uplift the work of extraordinary individuals.
Want to learn about previous Mentorship Champions? Check out our previous honorees below!
Mentorship Champion: Dr. Norris "EJ" Edney
Inaugural Mentorship Champion on Speaking Boldly About Your Goals and the Impact of Relationships
Mentorship Champion: Dr. Charmaine Troy
Using Mentorship to Provide Access & Representation
Mentorship Champion: Dr. Lanze Thompson
Growing Beyond Sense of Belonging with Intentional Mentorship
Mentorship Champion: Dr. Lynn Breyfogle
Bringing Intentional Mentorship to All Facets of Life for Growth