Mentorship University to provide leadership training for male students

Mentorship University, in partnership with Educational Talent Search and iMPACT, plans to inspire, empower and engage male middle and high school students in Nesmith Student Center on July 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Southeastern Community College. ETS Director Dr. Leslie Brown said the event is a safe environment for students to ask core questions about leadership and becoming mentors one day. 

The event will kick off with a hot breakfast meal and welcome address from SCC President Dr. Chris English. English will speak on the power of being a positive role model in the community and will charge the youth with the importance of education. 

Mentorship University will feature five speaker sessions. Fred Pedro, head football coach of East Columbus Jr./Sr. High School, will speak about leadership. Odell Graham of the Lion Heritage Foundation will speak on health and wellness. Christian Grate of Columbus County Schools and the Becoming Men Foundation will speak about school behavior. Paul Todd, owner of Todd Clothing and Fresh Start Mentors, will speak about dressing for success. The final speakers are Officer Brad Wilder and Lt. Thomas Riggins of Whiteville Police Department, and they will speak about building bridges with law enforcement.   

“We thought that bridge with law enforcement was key especially with our youth driving and getting stopped by the police,” Brown said. “We want them to have a good relationship with law enforcement in the area. Mr. Wilder will provide some hands-on tactical exercises during his time with the young men.” 

Brown explained that leadership strategies were important for Columbus County’s youth because of the lack of good leadership at home or within their community. She said that good hygiene and education on diabetes and high blood pressure were key components to health and wellness.  

“We want our men to grow up so they can go out into the community and become great husbands, civic leaders and role models,” Brown said. “We’re going to talk about school behavior and dressing for success.” 

Each student will receive a T-shirt with a graphic displaying stairsteps and the words educate, impact, inspire and lead. Brown said that students will leave the event with a sense of what those four pillars mean. With the T-shirt, the students will get a book called “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey. Brown hopes students will implement the strategies they learn at Mentorship University and from their new book.  

“Fuel the mind. Feed the future.” is the official slogan for Mentorship University. ETS Advisor Dwayne Bryant said he is looking forward to helping the young men become leaders and watching the guest speakers pour their knowledge into the students.  

There’s still time to register for Mentorship University. Each student may bring one mentor with them to the event. Register here: https://sccnc.edu/event/mentorship-university/