New Mentor Program Combines Politics, Freshmen Success

The EXCEL Center for Academic Success and the Department of Political Science and Planning have begun a progressive new mentor program for freshmen that combines politics with their first year success. 

The iServe Mentoring program presents a syllabus of civic and academic responsibility that encourages freshmen to succeed in their studies as they become involved in the political process on and off campus. 

Like all mentoring programs, iServe Mentoring provides upper level student mentors to assist freshmen in honing their study and time management skills and their transition from high school to college.

The iServe program adds a government class to the mix where students participate in voter registration drives, become active in online discussions of issues presented by one or both presidential and vice presidential candidates, conduct a phone-a-thon survey in the new Survey Lab, produce a public service announcement and be a member of a team campus outreach project.

EXCEL Center Associate Director DeLandra Hunter is the UWG deputy registrar for voter registration. Faculty and staff may refer any student to the EXCEL Center to register to vote or to learn how to conduct a voter registration drive.

Students may register as Carrollton residents and vote on campus or at a nearby precinct despite having a hometown miles away.  Most of these programs are part of the UWG American Democracy Project, which will also host campus-wide debate viewings coordinated by the EXCEL Center.

The convention debates, president and vice president debates, and a November Election Night Viewing Party will be hosted by the SGA and the UWG Democratic and Republican student organizations.

The iServe mentors and UWG students will watch the political debates and conventions of both parties in the Campus Center beginning with the Democratic Presidential Announcement Night that took place in Denver. 

The EXCEL Center offers a variety of different services including free tutoring, academic advising, upper class mentoring and major/career exploration in hundreds of fields. For more information on this program or any of the other fine programs offered through the EXCEL Center, call 678-839-6280.

iServe Mentoring Events
All four debates end at 10:30 p.m.

• Democratic Presidential Acceptance Speech Watch
  Thursday, August 28, 6:30 p.m., Campus Center Ballroom, sponsored by the UWG College Democrats and Carroll County for Obama.
• Republican Presidential Acceptance Speech Watch
  Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., in Campus Center Ballroom
  Sponsored by the UWG College Republicans.
• First Presidential Debate
  Friday, Sept. 26, 9 p.m.
  Campus Center Ballroom
• Vice Presidential Debate
  Monday, Oct. 2, at 9 p.m.           
  TLC 1305
• Second Presidential Debate
  Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 9 p.m.                       
  TLC 1305
• Third Presidential Debate
  Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 9 p.m.
  TLC 1305
• Election Night Viewing Party
  Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
  Campus Center Ballroom
  Sponsored by the SGA, UWG College Republicans and the UWG College Democrats.