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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
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.
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!
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
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