Meet Anita Doddi, our amazing Green Halo Scholars mentor who has been supporting local students since 2021 and officially mentoring with the program since 2023. She first connected with Green Halo Scholars through Downers Grove South counselors and fellow mentors, and since then, she has made a powerful impact by guiding six incredible Green Halo scholars along their path to higher education.
Anita’s Mentoring Style
Anita describes her mentoring style as warm, practical, and encouraging. To set her scholars up for success, she likes to jump-start college applications during the summer before senior year. She tells students to approach the process like a class you have to make time for, either showing up every day for thirty minutes, or dedicating an afternoon each weekend. Her dedicated Friday walk-in hours at Downers Grove South provide a welcoming, supportive space where students can focus on work, ask questions, and build confidence. In close partnership with the counseling office, she provides the perfect blend of gentle nudges and unwavering encouragement whenever extra support is needed.
A Mentoring Memory
One of her favorite mentoring memories is working with her student AJ last year. She describes him as a charming, funny student with exceptional writing skills who sometimes pushed deadlines to the limit. With Anita’s steady check-ins and encouraging support, AJ thrived in the Green Halo Scholars program. To help all of her students manage the intense pressure of application season, Anita thoughtfully normalizes their stress, helps break daunting tasks into bite-sized steps, and encourages scholars to take their ACT/SAT early so fall feels smooth and manageable.
Advice for New Mentors
What keeps Anita continuously inspired at Green Halo Scholars is seeing her students take proud ownership of their futures. Her top advice for new mentors? Attend Tuesday night scholar meetings, establish a regular weekly check-in time, and always start by getting to know your student as a person, because simply showing up and caring can make all the difference.
Anita’s exceptional effectiveness as a mentor stems from her professional background as a professional college advisor with Collegewise. Seamlessly blending the spirit of a mentor with the strategy of a project manager, she guides students through every single step of the application journey. Thanks to her ongoing training, Anita skillfully navigates tricky dynamics, such as thoughtfully balancing parent involvement and inspiring students when motivation dips, making her an invaluable partner to the Green Halo Scholars program.
When she’s not meeting with students, or working as a college advisor for Collegewise, you’ll likely find her reading (she is currently in two book clubs and especially enjoys reading female authors of color), walking her dog, or spending time with her family.
Interested in mentoring with Green Halo Scholars? Reach out to Usha Schmit, usha@greenhaloscholar.org. We’d love to tell you more about our incredible program!
