FLIGHT Mentor Program at UIW
FLIGHT, a grant-funded mentorship program, stands for Financial Literacy, Integrated Guidance, and Health Career Tracts.
FLIGHT is the University of the Incarnate Word's official mentoring program, comprised of three key activities designed to create a sense of belonging for students from orientation to graduation. The FLIGHT program offers transformational and multifaceted mentorship to Hispanic students who might otherwise struggle to complete their degrees and graduate. Research indicates that mentoring programs with a network of mentors, each bringing diverse skills and backgrounds, are more effective than stand-alone mentorships in supporting students throughout their college journeys.
For questions, please contact Sandra McMakin by email at mcmakin@uiwtx.edu.
FLIGHT was established in October 2021 with a five-year grant from the Department of Education. By institutionalizing the efforts launched by the initial grant, UIW aims to increase graduation rates among Hispanic students and facilitate their entry into graduate health programs while promoting sustainable financial planning for their futures. UIW, as a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution, is nationally ranked among faith-based institutions for graduating Hispanic students with bachelor’s degrees, with 52% of UIW students identifying as Hispanic.
A FLIGHT Mentor is a faculty or an administrator who has completed training to know how to assist UIW students throughout their academic journey. You can find a FLIGHT Mentor at the directory linked below, or by looking for the official FLIGHT plate outside office doors around campus.
FLIGHT’s Three Activities
FLIGHT Mentor Center
This center coordinates a mentoring program, providing students with access to mentors who guide them toward graduation by developing academic success and financial plans.
First-Year Experience Seminar
This is a course taught by FLIGHT-certified faculty. The course's purpose is to support students during their initial year of college and set them up for success. This course includes certified FLIGHT Peer Mentors who are embedded into the learning communities.
Health Professions Pathway
This activity is designed to guide students pursuing health-related careers. A FLIGHT-certified Pre-Health Mentor, in collaboration with the Health Professions Advisory Council, provides support for students enrolled in pre-health academic programs at UIW.
"The FLIGHT Program will allow UIW to build and sustain support to help increase the graduation rate of our Hispanic students. It will also increase the number of Hispanic students who enter graduate health programs and help students carry out a sustainable financial plan for their future.”
- Sandy McMakin, Title V FLIGHT Project Director
FLIGHT In The News
UIW Receives Major Funding for New Mentoring Program
University of the Incarnate Word to use $2.9M federal grant to boost Latino graduation rate
Reaching New Heights: A New Mentoring Program Takes FLIGHT
