Peer-Mentoring Programs for Commuter Students
In an effort to create community and social interaction on a commuter campus, many schools are setting up formal peer-mentoring programs. A recent study identified the following best practices for a successful peer-mentoring model:
1. Make students feel wanted and needed by having peer mentors coordinate proactive student social activities on campus.
2.Create recognition levels for peer mentors to encourage their continued participation.
3. Have peer mentors serve as tutors.
4. Provide letters of recommendation to peer mentors upon graduation.
5. Have peer mentors organize student community service projects.
6. Team graduate peer mentors with career services to create seminars that help students stay focused on their career goals.
Does your campus use any of these practices in your peer-mentoring program? How are they implemented?
Alexandra,
Please report back with the outcome.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I don't know if we have peer mentoring at our campus, but I can see how something like this would benifit the student. I think it is a good idea and will look into it.
Cheryl ,
Yes, it is. We touch people in so many ways.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I believe that each part we do for our students is one step closer to changing their lives forever.
Nuance,
Peer mentoring does help. Meeting someone that has walked the walk and talked the talk supports the program.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
at our campus we do have peer mentoring and sometime it works when the students sees someone on their level who has taken the same course explains it to them it also inspires them later on to come back and help due to the fact they were helped.
Cherie,
Please take another look at mentoring in the course material and throughout the discussion forum for information on mentoring programs. Yes, it is a benefit.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
We do not currently have a peer mentoring program in place but I can see where this would be a great benefit to students and I am excited to see if we can implement a plan at our campus.
Sharon,
A wonderful post. Programs similar to this have different names but students mentoring students aids in their personal development as well as retention. I hope this is a lively thread.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
