DAVIDSON, N.C. — It’s been nearly 60 years since Black students entered Davidson College.
What You Need To Know
- Davidson College started offering the Msaada Mentoring Program in 2021
- The program pairs alums and students identifying as Black women
- The match is based on students' career goals
Years later, Black students make up 6.3% of the student population. A mentoring program aims to help students who identify as Black women succeed on campus and after graduation.
The Msaada Mentoring Program pairs alums and students who identify as Black women based on the students’ career goals.
Bernice Saladin, a junior, is part of the program.
“I think it’s powerful that they still come back after they graduate to help out the community,” Saladin said.
She is majoring in political science and minoring in data science.
She chose Davidson because of its location and financial support.
“I like the weather and most importantly, I felt like Davidson College met my financial needs,” Saladin said.
She said initially it was challenging to attend a predominantly white institution.
“Sometimes you have impostor syndrome, you are like, ‘Do I deserve to be here?’ And in classes no one looks like you, so you feel alone,” Saladin said.
She’s grateful for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Black Student Coalition House on campus.
“It’s a predominantly white institution, so it’s nice that when we come here, there’s brotherhood and sisterhood aspect,” Saladin said.
Her extracurriculars and the Msaada Mentorship program have made her feel more at home.
“It’s definitely nice to have that guidance from someone who looks like me and is older and is very accomplished,” Saladin said.
Saladin’s mentor, Anissa Patton, graduated in 1991 from Davidson and helped develop the program.
She’s the supervising attorney with the Fulton County of the Child Attorney in Georgia.
Saladin followed one of Patton’s court cases virtually.
During their online check-ins, they also talk about Saladin’s time at Davidson and her plans.
After being Patton’s mentee, the 20-year-old plans to go law school.
“Meeting with her and seeing her passion for it helped me see this is something that I really want to do. She helped me solidify my career path,” Patton said.
Patton said she wished she had a program like this back in 1987 when she was a freshman at Davidson. She was one of three Black women in her class.
“As a Black woman student, I didn’t feel we had the support that other groups had,” Patton said.
Patton wants this mentoring program to offer support and network opportunities for alumni and students.
“Just making sure their voices are heard, making sure they are not feeling ignored and making sure they are taking advantages of opportunities and they are getting given opportunities,” Patton said.
One little thing Patton and Saladin share is that the program is benefiting them both.
“I’ve tried to encourage her, if anything, to be the best Bernice she can be, and she encourages me, too,” Patton said.
Saladin is among more than 50 students who have been matched since the program started in 2021.
The Matthews Center for Career Development and Davidson College’s Office of Alumni and Family Engagement manage this program.