Health science students created a new counseling program

When Prateek Mansingh ’23 MHA began his tenure last fall, he was adjusting to life in the United States and preparing for graduate school. An international student from India said this was challenging at times. After settling into his new home and routine, he was inspired to help guide the new Chargers as they started at university.

Assistant to the Provost b University School of Health Sciences, Mansing served as the orientation leader for incoming students last spring, helping them register for classes and supporting them once they begin their studies. But he wanted to do more.

Mansing and Perry Alexander ’23, a Health science major, had an idea – they wanted to create a mentoring program to support students new to the health sciences school. They’ve been collaborating all summer to develop the program, which they call the Student Integrated Mentoring Program (CMP).

“I wanted to give back to the school that gave me so much, so I wanted to start a mentoring program for students,” Mansing said. “The experience and guidance I have received is what I want to offer to all SHS students to build a close-knit community that grows together. I hope they use this opportunity to succeed in all areas of life and become champions of the university to the best of their ability.”

‘A close-knit community’

Committed to the growth and development of the School of Health Sciences, Mansing and Alexander piloted CMP first with a small group of students. They learned what they wanted to improve and invited SHS community members to apply to become mentors or advisors. They then interviewed mentors, and are looking forward to officially launching the program in the fall semester.

Mansing and Alexander are both members of the School of Health Sciences Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Assets (DEIAB) Committee, proposed the program at the meeting. Students of all backgrounds hoped it would help them adjust to life as Chargers while building relationships and lifelong friendships. They envision the program as improving and strengthening the SHS community and creating networking opportunities for their students.

“I hope this program creates a close-knit community at SHS,” Alexander said. “I want all students who are part of SHS, regardless of background or major, to come together and grow. I want this program to create more student engagement and peer support in the school.

“I can’t wait to see where this program goes.”

A Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Student AmbassadorAlexander is helping to create CMP as part of her work as an ambassador. In the fall semester, she is facilitating the School of Health Sciences’ Youth Public Health Conference, which introduces first-generation and underrepresented high school students to careers in public health and prepares them for college. She is especially excited about these opportunities to encourage mentorship, something that has impacted her own life.

“When I first came to university, I thought I would be an average student who would go to class and do homework until graduation,” she says. “I thought I was in the shadows until one of my mentors saw a spark in me that I hadn’t seen before.

She continued, “This has helped open my eyes to the opportunities I can be involved in. “I’ve gained confidence as a scholar, leader, and role model for those around me. I’ve become empathetic to those who don’t see the spark within themselves and I do my best to offer my support. I hope this mentoring program will do for students what my mentors did for me.”

After the start of the semester, the program will hold a formal meeting to connect mentors and advisees, who are paired with each other based on the selection on the application, to meet in person. After meeting, mentors and mentees continue to connect and build their relationships. Alexander and Mansing host monthly meetings with program members to review their progress and continue networking.

“It’s the first program of its kind at the university, and we’re very excited about it,” Mansing said. “I can’t wait to see where this program goes. We hope other academic colleges in the university will follow our lead and help connect all students.