Mentor a gifted student to reach their potential

ACU Engagement are pleased to announce a partnership with the Loreto Kirribilli Academic Mentoring Program, which creates a Community Engagement mentoring opportunity for ACU staff.

The program empowers gifted young women to reach their potential by matching them with a volunteer mentor. The mentor provides invaluable, individualised support including career guidance and exposure to learning opportunities above and beyond the school curriculum.

It is commonly assumed that gifted adolescents possess special abilities that shelter them from some of the stresses their peers are facing (Yewchuk and Jobagy 1991). The literature suggests, however, that this group of students, from a range of backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses and abilities, may experience social-emotional and mental health difficulties, including peer exclusion, isolation, stress, anxiety and depression (Blaas, 2014).

The Loreto Kirribilli Academic Mentoring Program are seeking ACU staff to volunteer as mentors to challenge students in their gifted domain and help them transfer their high ability to achievement.

A mentor in the Loreto program may share with a mentee information about his or her own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation and role modelling. A mentor may also help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources.

"I enjoyed spending time there talking about philosophy with one of the girls before walking around the corner to ACU's North Sydney campus on my way to work once a week. This is a great opportunity to make a difference for someone else with very little inconvenience to oneself in a friendly and relaxed environment," Principal Policy Advisor, ACU PM Glynn Institute, Damien Freeman said.

Please get in touch with ACU Engagement to learn more about how you can utilise the Community Engagement Time Release Policy to participate in this program.