The House Mentorship Program
Mentoring is an essential component in a student’s journey towards success. In the DLSU Undergraduate Philosophy Program, mentoring comes in two forms: (1) faculty-to-student, and (2) peer-to-peer. The House Mentorship Program is the department’s official peer-to-peer mentoring program offered to help undergraduate philosophy students reach their full potentials with the help of their peers, on top of the mentoring they already receive from our faculty.
The students are divided into three main houses — Ceniza, Quito, and Timbreza. Each term, they host round table discussions, research workshops, and brown bag sessions to help develop one’s skills while also creating a support system as they journey forward. Competitive and resilient, the members engage with each other, sharing in their passion for philosophy.
Interview with Dr. Mark Anthony Dacela, House Mentorship Program Founder
The Houses were once just a conversation, and yet it grew into the program we know today. Grounded in the sense of building a community among the students, it had long been just an idea that could inspire them to create a support system, enlightening each other with both wisdom and knowledge that could only come from experience and hard work. Having a close group meant sharing the burden and the joy of being a Lasallian philosophy undergrad.
The biggest challenge before its creation was if whether or not it can be sustained throughout the years. At the time, the reality was that the number of philosophy students are not as numerous as they are now. It could not be passed on easily to only a handful of individuals. Then the pandemic hit, and suddenly the population grew. There would be many students to mentor and teach but only a limited number of faculty members who could only handle so much. It needed the support of student leaders.
From the founding students who helped build it, the leaders who refined its sustainability, to the students who continued to show their support and engagement with the members, the activities are always made with the concern for what the members need and enthusiasm for what they want. Since its implementation, the events ranged from academic workshops and brown bag sessions to aid their pursuit of knowledge, to the casual discussions that invite many to think critically on issues and question ideas.
It continues to serve as the link between the department and the mentors as well as working hand-in-hand with the home organization Samahan ng mga Lasalyanong Pilosopo in making a journey that benefits them and would be proud to continue.