Promoting Success Through Peer Support...Application Timeline •Application Features: Essay...
Transcript of Promoting Success Through Peer Support...Application Timeline •Application Features: Essay...
Promoting Success Through Peer Support
Arezu Corella & Mary Frances Kuper
Beyond Boundaries December 12, 2011
• Home to: Arizona Assurance, Commencement, Early Alert, New Start, Prodigy, SA Outreach Facilitators, SSS/TRiO.
• Majority of programs are based on peer mentor model.
• Open-access and targeted programs for first-generation, low-income, and minority students.
About Academic Success & Achievement…
• Benefits
o Psychosocial support
o Provide emotional support
o Share their own experiences
o Provide information
oCareer support
oAssist with career choices
oAssist in achievement of educational goals
oAssist in navigating through the university
Peer Mentor Research
• Students who are in mentoring
programs are more satisfied
with their education (Budge,
2006)
• Peer mentoring also helps
increase student engagement
(Sanches, Bauer, & Paronto,
2008)
Student Experience
• Weekly/Bi-Weekly Workshops
• Individual Mentorship
• Grade & Assignment Sheets
• Self-Reported Progress Reports
• Staff Monitoring of Academic Progress
• Social & Service Learning Opportunities
Benefit of This Approach: Allows for
flexibility of students’ schedules
Workshop-Based Approach
• Peer Advisors as preceptors
• Facilitate daily workshops on college-success/academic topics
• Out-of-class 1:1 appointments
• Out-of-class involvement assignments
• Research articles focused on student success/retention data
• Benefit of this approach: Grade-based, mandated participation allowing for all students to receive the same level of services and support (validation for research and assessment purposes)
Course-Based Approach
Technological/Phone-Based for issues surrounding:
• Early Alert Notices
• Non-Registration
• Off-Campus Freshmen
• Departmental Support (AZA)
Supplemental Programming
Benefit of this approach: Allows for larger case loads with both high-tech and “high-touch” strategies and student interaction based on comfort levels
Technology-Based Approach
• Participant Leadership Model: Majority of student leaders are former participants
• Outreach to strategic partners
• Joint application for multiple programs (Prodigy, TRiO, New Start)
• Number of Applicants: 120- All receive interviews as part of a professional development process.
Creating a Competitive Applicant Pool
• January: Student Coordinator
Applications Become Available
• February: CT Interviews; Peer
Advisor Positions Become
Available
• March: PA Applications Due;
Interviews Begin
• April: Group Interview;
Selections Announced
Application Timeline
• Application Features: Essay questions & staff recommendations
• Individual Interviews
- Scenario-Based Questions
• Group Interview Sample Activities: Mock 1:1s, group presentation, Zoom, Written Response, Group Diversity Discussion
What the Process Looks Like…
• Student leadership experience
• Interest in the field of education
• Willingness to learn
• Public speaking/facilitation skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to interact with/engage
others
• Commitment to diversity
• GPA of 2.75 or above
What We Look For
Training topics include: - Diversity/Social Justice: Issues in Higher Ed
- Ethics & Integrity/Professionalism
- University Code of Conduct
- Creating Learning Outcomes/Agendas
- Classroom Management
- Conflict/Crisis Management
- Paraprofessional Counseling Skills
- Residence Life Protocols (if residential program)
- Social Networking Standards/Expectations
- Working with Students with Disabilities/ Universal Design
Training: New Start
Sample Topics:
• Goal-Setting
• Time Management
• Test-Taking & Study Skills
• Library Resources
• Public Speaking/Presentation
• Health & Wellness
• Personal Finances
• Civic Engagement & Leadership
• Career Readiness & Preparation
• Preparing for Sophomore Year
Creating Your Curriculum
Sample Activities:
- Boys & Girls Club School Supplies Drive
- Aids Walk/Race for the Cure
- Fall Harvest Food Drive
- Ben’s Bells
- Year in Photos: The Freshmen Experience
- High School Visitations
* Attendance better if on-campus or transportation is provided.
Social & Service Learning Opportunities
• Staff intervention is often
necessary
• PAs should be observed early
• The role of the Peer Advisor
should be outlined clearly with
protocol for when issues should
be forwarded to staff
• Student/Student Staff
Relationships & Socialization
• Continuous training is a must
Cautions About Peer Advising
Use social media to:
• Engage students with low levels
of participation
• Increase your presence and
visibility on campus
• Recruit new members and
answer common questions
• Reach students with updates
• Create real-time announcements
• Development & fund-raising
The Benefits of Social Media
• Let your student staff create/manage departmental pages (with training)
• Online contests
• Post photos of events/participants
• Collaborate with other departments for cross-posting
• Utilize other experts on campus
Increasing Interaction with Social Media
• Identify student population
o First-year students
o Probation students
o Specific majors
o Identify type of program
oWorkshop series
o Success course
o Peer mentoring only
Academic Program Development
• Identifying peer mentors
oCriteria
oClass Standing
oGPA
oMajor
o Process
oApplication
o Interview
o Selection
Program Development Cont.
• Revenue from summer courses
• Internship credit for PAs
• Department resources
• Courses taught by Advisors
Funding
• Target Student Population
• Type of Program (Workshop, Class)
• Potential Funding Resources
• Recruiting Prospective Staff/ Volunteers
• Key Stakeholders to Gain Support
• Creating a Course for Credit
• Key Departments/Partners
• Special Issues & Training Needs
Group Activity: Creating a Program
Dr. Arezu Corella
Director, Arizona Assurance
(520) 626-3500
Mary Frances Kuper
Director, New Start & Prodigy
(520) 621-5773
Contact Us