NABITA’s Mentor Match program is available to all NABITA Members at no cost. The program aims to cultivate leadership in the field by linking seasoned BIT professionals with those who are newer to the field. We had the pleasure of interviewing Ashlie Cogburn, M.A., Case Manager at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado. She graciously shared her insights on the program and highlighted why members should consider it.
What inspired you to participate in NABITA’s mentor match program as a mentor?
NABITA has been a pivotal piece of my career and every role I’ve had for the last decade or so, and it made sense to become a mentor. I embrace the organization’s trainings, resources, and networking and encourage others to know they’re not alone. There’s always room for professional development, and NABITA is a great place to grow.
What is your experience with NABITA?
I started with NABITA while reviewing my institution’s SAP (satisfactory academic progress) expectations. In 2013, I led the early intervention, early alerts, and behavioral intervention teams, and I’ve been a NABITA member ever since.
What networking opportunities do you hope to gain from being a mentor?
This is an opportunity to tell my mentee, “I might be attending this conference or in this area. Since you mentioned networking is one of your growth goals, I’m here to help.” Sharing job opportunities and supporting others in their growth journeys is fulfilling.
What advice do you have for mentees?
NABITA is a huge organization, and I want to encourage folks, especially newcomers, to learn about the many resources available, the ease of accessing them, and the vastness of NABITA’s support system.
Many people get into this work, especially the care side, because they genuinely care. They want to make a difference and be preventative. We’re not going to save every single person. You may only know your impact on someone years later. Even on hard days when it feels like you didn’t do anything, know that you’re doing this work for a purpose. What we’re doing has a positive impact.
What advice would you give someone considering joining the Mentor Match program as a mentor or mentee? Why would you encourage them to join?
Anybody I have met through NABITA, whether through training virtually or in person, has been a genuinely good connection. This is an excellent organization for continuing your growth. Mentoring doesn’t take much time. You share what’s going on and discuss how you want to get through it. You discuss how to work collaboratively, what support is available, and encourage each other. I draw inspiration and motivation from my mentees, and I aim to do the same for them. Overall, it’s a mutually beneficial relationship, a win-win situation.
What impact do you think this program will have on the growth and advancement of the behavioral intervention field?
I envision NABITA’s Mentor Match program continuing to grow, as long as we connect folks involved in this work because they genuinely care about fostering cohesive approaches to threat assessment and crisis management. In a world where children are learning active shooter drills, our field must focus on proactive measures. How can we transform school safety discussions from fear-inducing to preventive, akin to practicing a tornado drill? It’s a sad reality, but we must build bridges of support to prevent these incidents on our campuses.
What experiences or skills are most important for mentoring in this program?
The most important skill a mentor or mentee can possess is caring about the work and wanting to make a difference.
At NABITA, we know our members make great mentors. Please consider applying as a mentor or mentee during our next application cycle. Applications will open in September 2024. Learn about Mentor Match by visiting www.nabita.org/mentor-match.