Creating a Peer Mentor Program to Promote Self-Determination and

Leadership

Cheryl A. AshcroftLisa R. Ruebeck

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History

• Started in 1996 by four Lehigh University students with learning disabilities

• Started as a support group then transitioned to a mentoring program in 1997

• Fall 1998: 24 first year students were offered mentors, ten students participated

• Participants gpa 3.08/ Non-participants 1.94

• Self-determination model begins

Defining Your Program PhilosophyWhat is Self-Determination?

• Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan at the University of Rochester.

• Self-Determination begins with the ability to identify and understand one’s needs, interests, strengths, limitations, and values.

Why Facilitate Self-Determination?

Because Self-determined Students:

•Capitalize on their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses

•Are proactive and experience less stress

•Are persistent and focused on goals

•Use support systems and creatively problem solve

Self -Determination in Identity Development and Leadership

• Moving from Shame to Self-Determination

• Normalizing the Experience

• Assimilating Multiple Identities to the Self

• Creating a Community

• Empowering: From Helpless to Helper

• Sharing Experiences with First Year Students

• Creating Inclusive Leadership

Inclusive Leadership

• Every voice counts

• First year students determine the level of engagement

• Encourages individual accountability

• Encourages culture of acceptance

• Preparing students for the diversity of the work environment

Jared’s Story

Reflection and Planning #1

• What is you primary goal for starting a Peer Mentor Program?

• What population do you want to support?

• List 2-4 students that you believe could be potential mentors.

Where We Are Today

Eighteen years in the making!

Organizational Structure

Peer Mentor Commitment

• One Year Commitment

• Training ~ 5 hours

• Program Events (3 Fall/ 2 Spring)

• Informal Contacts with Mentees

• Executive Board Bi-Weekly Meetings

• End of Year Appreciation Dinner

• These are Volunteers!

Annual Cycle

Recruitment and Selection

April (Spring Semester)

•Criteria (GPA, Self Awareness, Potential)

•Invitation to Apply

•Application and Interview Process

•Selected by Lead Mentors

•Composition of Mentors

Training Overview

• Leadership and Identity Development Training (April)

• Peer Mentor Training (August)

• Mid-Year Retreat (January)

Leadership Development Training Spring

• Mentors Identify Challenges of Transition

• Identity Development

• Define their Roles/ Define their Goals

• Issues of Confidentiality

• Team Building

• Creating a Community

Peer Mentor TrainingFall

• Preparing for New Student Orientation

• Peer Mentor Handbook

• Expectation for Fall Semester

• Confidentiality, Waivers, Consent Forms

• Role Play Experiences

Outreach to First Year Students

• Inform parents

• Peer Mentor website

• Initial telephone contact with student

• Letter and invitation to student

• Parent’s in Transition Workshop

• New Student Orientation brochure

• Inform Orientation Leaders/ Gryphons

New Student Orientation

• Introduction

• Peer Mentor Directed

• Small Groups by College

• “What I Wish I Knew”

• Initial Matching/Sharing of Contact Information

• Consent Forms

• Initial Meeting (lunch or coffee)• First year students determine the level of engagement• Possible Topics

– Important Academic Information: accommodations, drop/add, withdrawal deadlines

– Personal invitation to program events

– Exam preparation

– Referral to academic resources

– Social check-in

– Finals preparation

Fall Mentoring

Peer Mentor Mid-Year RetreatJanuary

• Welcome Back and Re-energized!

• Review Fall Semester

• Plan Spring Programing

• Review Expectations

Programming Ideas

• New Student Orientation Session

What I wish I Knew as a First Year Student

• Tricks and Tips for Exams (You’re Not in High School Anymore!)

• Pre-Registration Dinner

• Ready, Set, Resumé (Student Panel)

• Sophomore Living Options (Student Panel)

Funding Resources• Start Small and Keep it Simple

• First Year Programming Office

• Leadership Development

• Student Senate

• Parents’ Fund via Institutional Advancement

• Institutional Budget

Assessment

• First Year Review

• Mid-Year Retreat

• Assessment Surveys

• Parent Donations

Reflection and Planning #2• Identify potential student mentors

• Develop questions for needs assessment with potential peer mentors (Individual conversations)

• Plan first meeting with peer mentors (create a community)

• Explore training opportunities

• Explore funding resources

Stephanie & Erin

Questions?

Review Peer Mentor Handbook