WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
14 UCW SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2021
EDUCATION
FTCC's Male Mentoring Program can help students find their way forward
by GARY WOMBLE JR.
Have you ever found yourself not knowing
how to navigate through a specific issue?
I have been in this situation many times.
Establishing a relationship with my mentor is
what broke this cycle in my life. Growing up, I
displayed a love for music. Dating back to even
my diaper-wearing days, the rhythmic beats
of drums captured my attention and moti-
vated me. As I approached my teenage years, I
wanted to play the drums at church.
As I stepped closer to the drums at my
church, I realized that I did not know how to
play that shiny five-piece instrument and that
I needed a teacher. What happened next was
my game-changer. I heard the baritone, barren
voice of the church's drummer ask me, "Do you
know how to play the drums?" I responded
that I did not, and he became my drum teacher
and eventually a trusted mentor.
While enrolled in beginner drum lessons,
I learned the mechanics of drumming and
music performance. However, I also learned
the value of character traits such as hard work,
persistence and endurance. My teacher went
beyond music; he became my first men-
tor. He routinely asked about my grades and
never failed to remind me that drumming was
secondary to my academics. He always sought
ways to speak positively, encourage me and
make certain that I knew he cared about me.
Twenty plus years later, he and I still have
an ongoing mentor/mentee relationship and
he continues to support me as I navigate
manhood.
Giving back to others has become my life's
mission, and being a mentor is my passion. I
have worked in education for the past ten years
in various capacities to share my passion. As
the Male Mentoring Coordinator at Fayetteville
Technical Community College, I provide aca-
demic support to enrolled male students as
they work towards completing their programs
and overcome common barriers that may im-
pede their academic success. My recent efforts
are aimed at developing literacy, employability
and promoting a healthy lifestyle among the
male students.
Building meaningful relationships represents
my overarching objective as a mentor. I often
refer back to my younger days when I had a
mentor and I try to model my mentoring ap-
proach after his "check and connect" model. At
FTCC, I provide weekly "check and connect"
conferences and group meetings with students
whom I mentor. ese meetings provide aca-
demic advising and personal support and also
help students find and obtain work.
It is a joy and privilege to guide students
through their scholastic and personal endeav-
ors. Everyone can benefit from additional
support to reach success — whether personal,
academic or professional.
I invite you to join us for fall semester. Class-
es begin Oct. 14 for the eight-week session,
and you'll have plenty of FTCC resources to
help you find your way forward. At Fayetteville
Technical Community College, Mentoring
Matters! Contact me wombleg@faytechcc.edu
for information about how the Male Mentoring
program at FTCC can help you.
GARY WOMBLE JR. FTCC, Success
Coach .COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin-
gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
