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Northwest Missouri State University

  • myNorthwest

MORE

What is MORE program?

MORE stands for Mentors Over Retention Program. The program is and run by the Office of Minority Affairs in the Intercultural and International Program and is the office’s flagship support program for students of color.The program pairs Incoming students of color with upper classmen to assist them successfully transition to college and if needed, adjust to rural Missouri, a new experience for many students of color who have spent all of their lives in cities and urban areas.

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GOALS of MORE

To retain and graduate informed, well rounded leaders of color, fully equipped to positively impact their world. We do this by: 

  1. Assisting students to transition to and succeed at Northwest
    1. Connection with fellow students and Faculty and Staff- Mentor/Mentee Relationship, Monthly Faculty Mentor Meetings
    2. Study Area, Required study hoursc.
    3. Encouraging students to get involved in relevant organizations and attend events that will help develop leadership, analytical and communication.
  2. Develop Critical Thinking Skills and to help create an understanding for the need to tell one’s story.
    1. Provide things other departments cannot or do not provide
    2. Exposure to a variety of relevant current and historical issues affecting communities of color through various delivery methods and discussions
  3. Empower Students for Success-Equipping students with everything they need to succeed.
    1. Help Students develop an understanding of themselves and what they bring to the table
    2. Assist  students in developing skills needed to succeed in the job search process and on the job
    3. Assisting students in learning the keys for personal success such as financial management, conflict resolution strategies and emotional MaturityIn the Fall of 2007, participation in the program will be a requirement for renewal of cultural diversity scholarship. The information in the program refer to the restructured programs that allows for this requirement.

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How Does the Program Work?

  1. Mentor/Mentee Matching

    Incoming students interested in the MORE program receive information about the program over the summer and at SOAR and are encourage to fill out the online application where they indicate their interests, hobbies, personality traits and major if known.New mentees are matched with mentors (who also fill out a profile indicating their interests) along the major, personality traits and interest lines.

  2. Program Requirements

    100 Points a semester to be a member in good standing. 35 Points a Month, plus partial Month Activities and Extra Credit Activities1. Weekly Meetings with Mentor. 2.5 Points per Meeting/4 Meetings Per Month (2 Must be Study Sessions, 1 an Extra Curricular Activity and One open)2. General More Meetings. 2 Points per Meeting/3 Meetings a Month3. 10 documented Study Hours a Month. 1 point per hour/10 hours a Month (6 Must be in the IIC, other 4 must be together to ensure hours indeed took place)4. Meeting with Faculty/Staff Mentor. 2 Points per Meeting/1 a Month5. Online Report. 2 Points Per Report/1 a Month6. Extra Credit Points for MORE sponsored and other selected activities (e.g. Panels for College for a day visits, MOSAIC, Speakers etc.)

  3. Point System

    Successful Participation in MORE is determined by points. Students must have 100 points to be eligible for scholarship renewal.  Members in good standing qualify for trips and benefits.

  4. Field Trips

    At least one sponsored trip per month is organized for MORE members. Trips range from simple things like going as a group to see relevant movies like “Freedom Writers” and “Pride” to attending cultural events like Cirque Du Soleil and plays, to leadership conferences like the BIG XII conference on Black Student Government.

  5. Topics Covered

    The topics covered in the MORE meeting cover three broad areas
    1. Empowerment-Know Yourself and Apply yourself covering areas like personality type, communication and leadership styles, areas of strength
    2. Success Tips-Interviewing skills, etiquette, financial planning, study skills, note taking, academic support
    3. How did we get here and where are we going? Historical and Current issues related to race, ethnicity and gender. For More Information, please contact the Director of Minority Affairs, Ame Lambert at 660.562.1517 and lambert@nwmissouri.edu  

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Activities in MORE

Semester I

Block 1 - Student Transition

  • Mentor and Mentee expectations and activities
  • Study Skills
  • Personal habits and choices
  • Room mate issues and being the minority on a majority campus
  • Save that Refund Check!
  • Mentor Mentee Field Day

Block 2 - Cultural Enrichment

  • Etiquette Dinner
  • For men only, for women only
  • Student Topic
  • Community Service
  • Kansas City trip

Block 3 - Dealing with intra and inter group stereotypes

  • Self hate - Light skin, dark skin. Women can’t get along. “Acting white” or “black”
  • Our stereotypes towards other cultures
  • Dealing with stereotypes against us with truth and without becoming bitter
  • Activism - is it for us? What is worth fighting for?
  • Male and female relationships in communities of color, perceptions of beauty/competing or cooperating

Semester II

Block 1

  • Resume workshop and interviewing skills
  • Interviewing skills, part 2. Role play/mock interviews
  • Who are you? Leadership and Personality Styles
  • Student Topic
  • Big XII Conference on Black Student Govt at the University of Kansas

Block 2

  • Group Project - Let’s plan a campus event. Culture swap or something like that
  • Relationships - What questions should you ask?  What should you look for?
  • Going the distance - when to stay and when to leave?
  • Iowa Trip

Block 3 - Competing globally

  • Communication and conflict styles across cultures
  • Language and non verbal behavior, collectivism vs individualism
  • What is European American culture and how does that affect education and employment
  • Socio economic status - The culture of poverty
  • Student Topic
  • Career fair trip to an area University
  • Lock in

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