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#NCAAInclusion Week: Issa Mudashiru's Path to Peer Mentoring
October 19, 2023 | Men's Soccer, Featured
The Princeton University Mentoring Program (PUMP) is a mentoring program sponsored by the Carl A. Fields Center. The program uses the mentorship of sophomores, juniors, and seniors to assist first-year students of color in acclimating to and navigating campus life through creating a network of support.
Issa Mudashiru, a junior student-athlete on the Princeton men's soccer team, is an active mentor of the PUMP program.
"The point of PUMP is to provide incoming mentee freshmen of color with a built-in friend (the mentor) that can help them navigate the rollercoaster that will be their first full year on campus," said Mudashiru.
"It's a space that centers the freshmen where they can learn from their peers, engage with diverse perspectives, and feel empowered to succeed at Princeton. I think it's a great support system for first year students."
The first time Mudashiru was introduced to PUMP was through a recommendation from a friend his sophomore spring. After meeting with the PUMP supervisors and learning more about what the program provided for students of color, Mudashiru quickly became interested in becoming a mentor.
He said that at the time, PUMP had very few, if any, student-athletes in the program, so they were ecstatic to hear that he would apply to the program. "They wanted to see if our busy seasons and our daily schedules could align with the program's commitments," said Mudashiru.
"This has been my first semester in the program. I'm with one mentee, and even though our schedules don't always permit for us to meet (thanks Princeton), when we do get the chance, it makes my day to be able to connect with him and the laughs seem to be never-ending. Shout out to my mentee Calvin."
Mudashiru says that the training courses dedicated to educating PUMP mentors have made a huge difference in the success of the program. The program provides regular trainings related to leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and advice on how to talk a mentee through various dilemmas and challenges. This training allows for mentors to have the skillset needed to support freshmen students of color who need help adjusting to an environment that's different from anything they might have experienced before.
"I know what it's like to feel as though you're different," said Mudashiru.
"There are times when I've been in a space on campus, whether its academic, social, etc., and I'm the only black kid there. Maybe the only POC there. And that realization sneaks up on me sometimes. But I'm glad PUMP exists because it is a great resource for students that look like me and others to feel welcome and to feel like they will always have people on campus that they can rely on, can trust, and have shared experiences with. I really appreciate the program for that."
The junior says that his time as a mentor has allowed him to reflect on what is important about being a leader in the PUMP program. "Organization, honesty, and listening are key," said Mudashiru. "I've got a busy schedule on the daily with athletics and other extracurriculars, so making sure that I am organized staying on top of my schedule and making sure that I am checking in with my mentee is important."
"Being honest is another important aspect of being a mentor. Being honest with your mentee about how you're doing, how your relationship is going with them, and with the advice that you are providing them. Actively listening to your mentee is another important key thing that I would add. Being able to listen intently is a crucial quality and skill for a mentor."
Mudashiru spoke about his focus on being the best mentor that he can be for his mentee. He is excited to see how that relationship will continue to grow. "Hopefully I can inspire Calvin to become a mentor himself," said Mudashiru. "What's important for my future in the program is to simply use this year to practice these mentorship skills to be the best mentor I can be and then take the feedback and learning moments into year two."
Mudashiru looks to apply the skills that he has learned from PUMP to his relationships outside of the program, whether it's on the soccer team or with others that he meets in future career endeavors.
"The work that Issa is doing with the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding, specifically its PUMP Mentoring Program, is an authentic visual of sharing institutional and individual responsibilities and action steps for fostering belonging and inclusive excellence," said Miles Smith, the Associate Director of Athletics/Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Princeton Athletics. "Issa's ability to consistently increase his skill set as a transformational leader in this space shows his passion for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Princeton Athletics."
Issa Mudashiru continues to inspire other Princeton student-athletes to become involved with mentorship or programs like PUMP. Mudashiru is an example of a student-athlete dedicated to taking action to create an environment of belonging and setting an example for building a culture of inclusivity.
