She’s gone from a mentee, to a mentor to working full-time as one of the six SLAMs co-ordinators.
A friend suggested SLAMs to Li Yuen Fong in her first semester at RMIT in 2014. She went along seeking help in a subject and became a mentor the following semester.
The 24-year-old, who grew up in Mauritius, is in her second year working as a SLAMs co-ordinator and studies part-time. She’s set to graduate from a Bachelor of Marketing and Information Systems in December.
“SLAMs was the place where I was able to study while making friends,” Li Yuen Fong said.
“I was here every day when I was a mentee and there’d always be someone I knew.
“We got so close we’d come to the city on the weekend, do movie nights and study together.”
What started as a College of Business initiative in 2005 has gone on to become a University-wide program offered locally and overseas.
SLAMs has 2,000 high-achieving mentors and 6,000 mentees, many of who are from indigenous, international and low socio-economic backgrounds.
It’s also seen the creation of SLAMs Connect, a call centre staffed by experienced mentors to proactively contact students who are struggling academically, and SLAMs online, a virtual mentoring program.
For Li Yuen Fong, a typical day could include anything from building a new timetabling function for the website and administration to planning and hosting events.
“I’ve seen every aspect of the program,” she said.
“I think that’s why I enjoy working as a co-ordinator so much. I understand the point of view of a mentee but also of a mentor.
“Everyone in the room wants to achieve more.”
SLAMs has been shortlisted in the Learning Experience Award category at the upcoming Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Melbourne on 28 August.