Honors mentor Rebecca Pittman stands out among mentees

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Sterling Heights sophomore Rebecca Pittman is ending her semester as an Honors Program mentor.

At 20 years old, she joined the Honors Program because she said she likes to challenge herself academically and she wanted to do more things outside of the classroom.

“I’ve been through lots of things over the past year and a half, including changing my major multiple times, and I love to help people find what they are passionate about,” Pittman said.

Pittman was responsible for 10 freshmen in the Honors Program and she helped schedule activities for their personal development project. Every student had to pick 10 activities from five categories. These activities were completed over the semester, then documented and reflected.

Pittman also helped her mentees plan out their philanthropy projects, where students had to raise $200 for the Community Compassion Network and volunteer a day at the food truck.

“Becca was an awesome mentor because she really went the extra mile to know each student individually,” said Plymouth freshman Haley Willman, one of her mentees. “She would often give me sticky notes with ideas for PDP projects that reminded her of me.”

Pittman said the most difficult part was prioritizing her time between jobs, homework and the work she put into being a mentor.

“I have a very tight schedule this semester and tried to work as hard as possible in each area of commitment I have,” Pittman said. “I wanted to be able to form a lasting bond, so if they ever are in need of anything, then they have someone they can come to and ask anything.”

She also met with each of her mentees individually twice over the semester, and planned a music exchange night with them. She also created a Facebook group so her mentees could communicate with each other and her easily.

“She took the time to make sure that we always had the information we needed,” said St. Charles freshman Ali Weisbarth. “If she didn’t have an answer to a question, she would find someone who did, and I really applaud her on being able to manage us on top of her work load.”

The mentors in each class led all of the mentees every Thursday class. They would do follow ups from the Tuesday lessons with Honors Program Director Phame Camarena.

Pittman recommended the class to other Honors students who are willing to put in the effort, but she warned that it is a time commitment outside of class. She also said she believes anyone interested in being a mentor needs to have a personality that can work with a variety of people from different backgrounds.