BonD (Building on Diversity) Program

Welcome to the Roanoke College family. We hope you’ll consider applying to become a part of this exciting program opportunity. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything we can do to help you.

Building on Diversity is a new student transition program that assists incoming students with their transition to college. The program is open to any newly enrolled students who want to learn and explore diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism. The incoming students are paired with a mentor that will guide their mentee through the transition process and navigate them to a successful college life experience.

Participants of the BonD mentoring program will:

• have access to a community of support and resources during key stages of their academic career
• receive support that aids in their personal and leadership development
• develop a greater sense of belonging to Roanoke College by engaging in the BonD community
• be exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences that affirms their cultural identity

Program Vision

All first-year students at Roanoke College will successfully transition into and persist through their first year of college, as well as be adequately prepared – academically, socially, and personally - to complete the remainder of their college experience at RC.

History of BonD

Roanoke College’s Building on Diversity (BonD) Program, evolved out of the Early Transition Program, is to assist with a student’s transition from high school to college. In earlier years, participation in the Early Transition Program was only open to newly enrolled students who were representatives of under-represented groups at Roanoke College.

In 2006, with the help of a $2,500.00 grant from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), the Office of Multicultural Affairs was able to create BonD, which is open to newly enrolled students who represent groups that are under-represented at Roanoke College AND any student who has an interest in diversity issues and multicultural affairs. This more inclusive program allows for a greater range of diversity of participants as well as a greater emphasis on inclusiveness among all Roanoke College students.

In 2008 BonD expanded the program offerings by creating a week long experience for program participants.

• Making the connections with faculty/staff
• College Classroom
• Introduction to diversity and social justice

Mentor

BonD Mentors are comprised of sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Roanoke College who assist first-year/ transfer students in successfully navigating and transitioning into the academic, extracurricular, social, and cultural dimensions of campus life at RC. This team of student leaders is able to function in a variety of roles, including peer mentor, peer advisor, program planner, team member, and role model. Upperclassmen, if you are interested in applying for the BonD Program, please apply via Handshake.

Benefits of becoming a mentor include:

• Increased self-esteem and confidence when expressing self
• An opportunity to serve in a leadership role
• Satisfaction of helping a student reach their academic and professional goals
• An expanded network of colleagues within the mentor cohort
• Opportunity to learn new methods for effective communication
• Specialized training

Mentee

Mentees, the deadline to sign up is 7/31/22. 
If you have any questions, please email ajones@roanoke.edu 

Benefits of becoming a mentee include:

• A broader view of the RC experience
• Increased opportunity to feel a sense of belonging
• Access to a support system during critical stages of your academic and leadership development
• Clearer understanding and growth of academic and co-curricular plans
• Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences
• Direct access to remarkable resources within your major and areas of interest
• Increased self-esteem and confidence when engaging with new people and situations as a college student, including experiences that multicultural students may encounter