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The Seita Scholars Program at Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University has numerous opportunities for community members to get involved. From mentoring students in the program, to providing hot meals during breaks, and needed services, we welcome the support our community partners provide.

Meal Donations

For three weeks every year, Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University closes its residence halls as students head home for the holidays. Many Seita Scholars stay on campus during this time, as one residence hall remains open to accommodate scholars and other students who need to remain on campus during this time. With the closing of the residence halls comes the closing of the dining halls, as WMU Dining Services is also on vacation during this three week period. This creates a gap for students staying on campus over the holiday closure—where do they get food?

The Seita Scholars Program donors fill that gap for Scholars by donating gift cards. The request for these donations typically go out several months in advance of the holiday closure, to ensure that there are enough meals provided for scholars.

Welcome PAck Donations

Many Seita Scholars will arrive at Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University without basic household items. To help students fill this gap, we are seeking groups and individuals who are willing to sponsor one or more welcome packs and fill it with supplies for an incoming Seita Scholar. Our goal is to give every new Seita Scholar a full welcome pack and have modified packs for returning Seita Scholars. We welcome individual items and complete welcome packs. We ask that all items be full-sized and in new condition. If you would like to make a monetary donation instead, you can write a check payable to Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University with the notation: "Seita Scholars Program – Welcome Packs" in the memo line. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for supporting the Seita Scholars Program!!

2024 drop-off dates and times

Items can be dropped off at the Seita Program Offices in the Faunce Student Services Building on the ground floor facing Kohrman Hall. As indicated on the map below, the Seita Scholars Offices can be reached off of the Ring Road (Knollwood Ave.) by turning into the parking lot between Western View Apartments and Trimpe Hall (parking lot 39). Note that the roundabout in the upper corner of the map is directly east of the intersection of West Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà Ave. and Howard Street.

If you have any questions or need to arrange an alternate time for drop off, please contact Peter Thompson directly at (269) 929-0242 or via email at @email

Welcome Pack items

The Seita Scholars Program also collects the following school supplies:

career mentoring

The Seita Scholars Program has a volunteer career-mentoring service to assist the Seita Scholars in building networks of supportive individuals during their time as Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University students and as they transition into the workplace. The career mentoring service links Seita Scholars to professionals who agree to volunteer by engaging mentees in a variety of activities such as job shadowing, networking, information sharing, and discussion about career paths and plans. 

The Seita Scholars Program will match scholars with mentors based on career interest when possible.  Otherwise, just having a responsible, caring adult to spend time and learn from will be invaluable to both the scholar and the program.

Eligibility

Career mentors must, at minimum, have a baccalaureate degree or career equivalent and be 25 years or older. Mentors must also be willing to commit to at least the following:

• Complete an application and background screening process
• Participate in an orientation session
• Commit to mentor his/her mentee for one full school year
• Spend four hours per month with his or her mentee, at least half of which is spent in person the rest may be spent communicating via email or telephone

Non-WMU Employee Application

WMU Employee application

Service volunteering

Volunteers are welcomed to perform a variety of services including, but not limited to:

• Assisting students with driving hours to obtain their license
• Providing legal or financial services
• Medical and dental service donations
• Academic tutoring
• Hosting workshops about financial literacy, career preparation and more

Volunteers are encouraged to connect with the program about service donations by completing the application below or utilizing the volunteer contact form

• Non-WMU employee application

• WMU employee application