Project CHESS
Collaborative for Hispanics in Higher Education & Student Success

Male Mentorship

The Project CHESS Brotherhood is open to historically minoritized men who identify as men of color and are current students at Cal Lutheran. 

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CHESS Men's Initiative Info Sessions:

Contact Ruben Alcala: ralcala@callutheran.edu 

Residential Summer Male Leadership Retreat 

TBD Summer 2024

Men's Initiative Spring 2023 Course Information

Thursdays 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Location: Overton Hall 

Cal Lutheran support men of color pursuing higher education degrees while also enriching their personal, academic, and professional development. We build a supportive community that helps students connect with peers of similar backgrounds, while also helping students build academic confidence, explore careers, and increase graduation rates of historically minoritized men of color.

Participants of Project CHESS are welcomed into a community of students who communally mentor one another as they navigate their university career. Through this program, Cal Lutheran students become academic, career, and life mentors for first- and second-year students at Cal Lutheran.

Students and coordinator from the program

Program Details

Some college support resources end after your first year in college.

Project CHESS extends that support through our peer mentorship program that connects minoritzed men entering their sophomore year with rising juniors and seniors at Cal Lutheran.

The program begins with a 3-day residential Leadership Retreat that includes workshops on leadership, resilience, academic mindset, social and cultural capital, and career development.

Career planning activities continue throughout the year while mentors and mentees keep in touch through monthly in person meetings, discord, and other communication platforms. 

Univ 2ST-CHESS
Men's Initiative Seminar for Cal Lutheran Students
This is 0 credit discussion based seminar takes place during fall and spring semesters. Course activities include short readings, viewing videos/Ted Talks, listening to podcasts, and other engaging material that encourages discussions around historical and contemporary issues men of color navigate within society and higher education. 

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Program Activities
Men's Initiative Summer Leadership Retreat
Three (3) day summer residential leadership retreat to kick-off the school year. Mentors and mentees will come together as hermanos (brothers). Activities and workshops focus on leadership in action, supporting resilience, academic growth mindset, building social and cultural capital, community engagement, and career development.
  • Students will participate in a weekly group designed to develop mentorship skills, leadership skills, and self-awareness. Topics include: Mentoring & Communication Skills, Emotional-Intelligence and Leadership, SMART Goals, Time Management and more!
  • Students will be matched with a first or second year student mentee and develop mentorship skills in action.
  • Students will enjoy a series of career development workshops designed to prepare participants for internships, job placement, and networking opportunities. Topics include: Resume Building, LinkedIn Profile & Headshots, Interview Skills, Business Etiquette, and more!
  • Students will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of social events where students can enjoy dinners, movie nights, field trips and more!

Additional Information

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