Mizzou Black Women’s Initiative (MBWI)

About

Mizzou Black Women’s Initiative (MBWI) is a one-year student success program open to first-year undergraduate students at the University of Missouri

Objectives

The program focuses on a holistic approach to student success through course curriculum, experiential learning, individual coaching, and peer mentorship. Each initiative seeks to foster growth and development opportunities that lead to a successful transition to Mizzou, retention and persistence of undergraduate students pursuing their academic, professional and personal goals.

Guiding Pillars:

  • Academic Success
  • Identity & Sense of Belonging
  • Career Exploration & Readiness

Students explore the program’s pillars through:

  • SSC 1150 (FA) and EDLPA 3100 (SP) course curriculum (can earn up to 4 credit hours)
  • Cohorts of 20-25
  • Peer Mentorship
  • 1:1 Student Success Coaching
  • Participation in academic access & leadership opportunities
  • Exposure to campus resources and activities
  • Networking events with faculty/staff, and community leaders and more.

To inquire about eligibility or the program in general, contact Program Instructor, Velma Buckner.

Leadership Team

The MBWI Leadership Team is led by a team comprised of a professional staff member, Teaching Assistant, and a group of Peer Mentors. The staff member works in the Office of Access and Leadership Development within the Division of Inclusion Diversity, and Equity. The Teaching Assistant is typically undergraduate senior who have served in the peer mentor role. The Peer Mentors are chosen from the most recent MBWI cohort. They are selected and trained in the spring and summer semesters in preparation for the program in the fall. Peer Mentors are to serve as role models, meet with their assigned mentees biweekly, and plan and implement community service events, study halls, and social/bonding activities.

Teaching Assistant:

  • Assist Program Instructor with classroom management, instruction, and academic record keeping via Canvas
  • Assist with the development of the course syllabi via individual and group lesson planning, creating grading rubrics, contacting guest lectures, etc.
  • Co-facilitate class sessions and discussions on various topics throughout the year
  • Support students through co-constructing student’s goals for their first year at MU
  • Supervise the MBWI Peer Mentors and their planning committees and programming efforts
  • Attend biweekly meetings with MBMI Program Instructor and Leadership Team
  • Assist the Leadership Team in planning the annual Alternative Spring Break Service Trip
  • Creating and/or assisting with the MBWI End of the Year Video
  • Assist with year-round recruitment efforts for the MBWI Program

Peer Mentors:

  • Serve as a good role model/mentor to the incoming MBWI cohort
  • Meet with 3-5 MBWI freshmen participants for 30 – 60 minutes monthly to discuss academic goal setting and progress as well as, their personal/social transition to campus.
  • Coordinate and attend mandatory weekly Study Halls with designated Peer Mentors
  • Plan and implement 3 – 5 community service and social events for the MBWI program each semester.
  • Co-facilitate class sessions and discussions throughout the year with the Teaching Assistant
  • Attend biweekly meetings with MBWI Program Instructor and Leadership Team
  • Manage the MBWI social media accounts and weekly #MondayMotivation posts
  • Coordinate annual MBWI Social Media Campaign
  • Responsible for photographing all MBWI events throughout the year
  • Assist Program Instructor with classroom management, instruction, and academic record keeping via Canvas
  • Assist with the development of the course syllabi via individual and group lesson planning, creating grading rubrics, contacting guest lectures, etc.

If you have any questions about the MBWI program contact Program Instructor, Velma Buckner.