Buena Vista University Student Honored for Mentoring
BVU junior Sloane Morrow has received the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. The award was presented by Governor Terry Branstad during a special recognition ceremony in Des Moines.
Sloane Morrow, a junior elementary education major from Fort Dodge, has received the Excellence in Mentoring Award from the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. The award was presented by Governor Terry Branstad during a special recognition ceremony held on Jan. 22 in Des Moines in conjunction with the organization's annual Mentoring Day on the Hill.
Morrow has served as a mentor with Storm Lake TeamMates for three years while attending BVU. She is on the leadership team with BV Buddies and has more than 600 hours as an AmeriCorps State member and an additional 400 hours as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. Sloane has helped to recruit more than 50 mentors at BVU by speaking at classes as well as addressing BVU's entering freshman class.
"Mentoring is a reciprocal relationship, and running a mentoring program like BV Buddies is a team effort. I am thankful to have so many passionate people next to me who see the impact mentoring makes on our community," said Morrow. "I decided to be a mentor because I would have benefited from having one myself when I was younger. I understand the power of positive relationships and role models, and I love being able to play the role of an advocate and support system to my mentee. I never imagined it would turn into a deep passion."
Sloane has helped and supported her mentee to improve her academics. She has also helped her and other mentees realize that attending college is an attainable option for their futures.
"Sloane has done an incredible job of taking her passions for youth and education and applying them to make a difference in our community. To see the relationship that she has developed with her mentee is wonderful," said Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant dean for student life and director of civic engagement. "Sloane exemplifies BVU's motto of Education for Service. We are glad to have great students and community partners like the Storm Lake Community School District, which help make BVU and Storm Lake so special."
Mentoring Day on the Hill and the Excellence in Mentoring Award are coordinated by the Iowa Mentoring Partnership, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Governor's Office.