Peer Mentoring

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Peer Mentoring

• The other support network

Carol Browne Allegan County Intermediate School
District
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Why Use a Peer Mentor

• - Students relate well to other
• students who have had similar
• experiences
• - Peers provide a safe haven
• - Peers are more likely to influence a
• course of action
• - Peers make students feel less
• isolated in a new environment

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What makes a Peer Mentor Successful?

• Being clear about expectations and approaches of
  support
• Taking time to build trust
• Respecting the students right to make the final
  decision
• Careful selection
• Giving them the tools to be successful

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Training New Mentors

• Create a comfortable learning environment
• Principles of Adult Learning
• Model effective intercommunication skills
• Provide appropriate instructional strategies

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Support for Peer Mentors

• Help peer mentors understand the scope and limits
  of their role
• Help them develop the skills and attitudes they
  will need to perform well
• Help build their confidence
• Use them as resources for each other

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What other strategies help first year students?

• Faculty/advisors assigned to a cohort for the
  first year.
• Faculty/advisors teaching a first year experience
  course or providing workshops on study skills,
  time management, etc..
• Providing students with knowledge and experiences
  that inform them about an institution (where to
  go for what).
• Activities and events that build cohesiveness
  between students and between students and
  faculty.

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Improving Retention

• Establish Career and Personal vision/goals
• Provide opportunities for assessment (cognitive
  and affective)
• Establish an education/personal development plan
  to meet goals
• Ensure opportunities for recognition of progress
  achieved towards goals

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References

• National Resource Center for The First Year
  Experience and Students in Transition
• http//www.sc.edu/fye/
• National Mentoring Center
• Training New Mentors
• Building Relationships
• www.nwrel.org/mentoring
• mentorcenter_at_nwrel.org