John Hoffman, Dean of Students, Concordia University in Irving writes: "Ted Mitchell defines mentoring as leadership. 'The people I know who are great leaders are great mentors.' He describes four characteristics of good mentoring.

• Teaching: Mentorship is the ability to transfer skills and knowledge, and--more--it is the ability to encourage others to reach beyond previously assumed limits of understanding, perspective, and will.

• Common Vision: [Mentors] foster the development of not one but many people who share a vision and interpret it in their own ways.

• Seasoning: [Mentors] put novices into increasingly challenging situations in order to develop their habits of mind and instincts, while at the same time standing ready to reach out with a helping hand.

• Growth: Mentor/novice relationships are those in which both are challenged, and through which both grow and develop.

I believe these ideas are a great start, but in a changing, postmodern world, this practical side must be complimented with something that goes deeper."

Hoffman goes onto say, "If you are to read one book during the coming months regarding mentoring young adults, I encourage you to make it Big Questions, Worthy Dreams by Sharon Daloz Parks (2000). Parks suggests that young adults today are being cheated because they are not being asked big enough questions or challenged to dream the most worthy of dreams. The specific questions she refers to are those of meaning, purpose, and faith. "

Here's to challenging ourselves to dream our most worthy dreams. Only then can we rightfully ask those we mentor to to do the same.

-Jennifer
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