The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication

 

Mission 

The mission of The Martin Center is to inspire and develop a future generation of leaders and mentors among today’s outstanding communication students, and to foster more robust relationships between those who educate and those who practice in the communications field.

We seek to accomplish our mission through robust programming and research. 

The Creation of The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication

  

The purpose of the Martin Scholars program is to inspire and develop a future generation of leaders among today’s outstanding Communication majors at the College of Charleston. The program develops a select group of senior Communication majors through a combination of exposure to effective communication leaders who serve as mentors and teachers, networking opportunities with Communication alumni and the Department of Communication National Advisory Council members, and experiential learning.

Martin Scholars

The Mentor Protege Program creates mentoring relationships between selected communication majors or minors and a member of the department's National Advisory Council. The relationship is one in which an experienced professional (mentor) guides, coaches, and teaches a less experienced student or young professional (protege). Mentoring is expected to benefit all involved: the mentor, the protege, the organization(s), as well as the culture supporting the relationship.


Mentor Protégé Program

Internships are an integral part of the growth and development of students professionally. The internship course provides guidance and mentorship throughout the process and encourages students to create a strong support network among their peers.


Internship Program

Each year the Center will award the Distinguished Mentor Award for lifetime achievement in mentoring. Our first recipient is Mr. Bill Heyman.



Distinguished Mentor Award

 In addition to our current programming, we have several initiatives under way:

  • Faculty-led research projects focused on the art and skill of effective mentorship and networking, including in-depth interviews and focus groups with mentors and proteges regarding best practices as well as benchmarking organizations that have proven mentoring programs.

  • Online resources and modules on mentoring and effective networking including topics such as how to be a good mentor/protégé, and how to network effectively in face to face and virtual environments.

  • Creating a database of alumni to help provide timely connections between organizations and alumni

  • Faculty Shadowing program: This program will enable faculty to spend time shadowing members of our National Advisory Council and other alumni at their place of work to help them understand the changing needs and practices of employers. This program will focus on advancing the faculty members research agenda, improving teaching, and facilitating connections with organizational leaders and alumni.

 Contact Beth Goodier at goodierb@cofc.edu for more information.