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SMILE : An Inside Look at an Innovative Peer Mentoring Program at a Multi-campus College

SMILE : An Inside Look at an Innovative Peer Mentoring Program at a Multi-campus College. 27 th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience ~ San Francisco February 2008. Margie Bader, Program Coordinator Sheryl Minnett, SMILE Faculty. Path to Success. Being mentored is

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SMILE : An Inside Look at an Innovative Peer Mentoring Program at a Multi-campus College

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  1. SMILE : An Inside Look at an Innovative Peer Mentoring Program at a Multi-campus College 27th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience ~ San Francisco February 2008 Margie Bader, Program Coordinator Sheryl Minnett, SMILE Faculty Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  2. Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  3. Path to Success Being mentored is “one of the most important predictors of a successful career.” Globe & Mail, November 11, 2005 Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  4. Mentoring “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction” John C. Crosby Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  5. The Origins of Mentoring The word “mentor” is derived from Homer’s Odyssey. Odysseus goes off to war and turns the guidance of his young son, Telemachus, over to his friend Mentor. The boy is then “mentored” in the ways of the world. Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  6. Mentoring in Canada • Canada is the world leader in providing mentoring programs in career settings • Over 65% of peer and other mentoring programs in the world are Canadian programs • 66% of the top 2,000 Canadian corporations provide some type of mentoring program, compared to 17% in the USA (Rey Carr, Peer Resources) Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  7. Mentoring in the USA • In 1995 the word ‘mentor’ appeared in the Washington Post only once in the entire year compared to once a month by 1999 • In 2002 the Harvard Mentoring Project launched a new effort to institutionalize and advertise the nation’s commitment to mentoring and established the month of January as National Mentoring Month • Storylines dealing with mentoring have appeared on many TV shows e.g. King of Queens, Becker, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and ER • Over the past six years, the Harvard Mentoring Project has spearheaded a national media campaign to promote the growth of mentoring in collaboration with national and regional TV and nonprofit partners Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  8. Why post secondary mentoring? • A public institution with 2,000 freshmen enrolled annually and a dropout rate of 30% can save $1 million for a 10% decrease in the dropout rate (Levitz, Noel and Richter, 1999) “Dropouts are expensive. It is far more cost effective to retain a student that has been admitted than to recruit a new one.” (Dr. Lee Noel, Student Retention Task Force, Nipisseng University, March 2006) Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  9. Coaching: is usually a paid activity focuses on performance specific agenda involves a person (usually external) who teaches and directs a person using encouragement and advice short term, issue specific guidance helps to achieve specific, challenging goals helps person stay focused on area of improvement. can be used to develop members of a work team Mentoring: is voluntary and ongoing focuses on the individual facilitator with no agenda can involve a senior person in the same organization who knows the structure, policies and processes of the organization shares knowledge and experiences to empower protégé is a learned guide who gives support and helps to “open doors” for the protégé A mentor is a role model who provides a broad perspective Coaching Vs. Mentoring Mentoring and coaching use a similar skills’ set Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  10. SMILE Mission Statement SMILE Mentoring is committed to enhancing the personal, academic, social and professional growth of our students by establishing and maintaining positive mentor-protégé relationships. We value diversity, volunteerism, confidentiality, integrity and respect. Through their involvement in the Mentoring Program, we empower our students and facilitate their success at Seneca College and beyond. Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  11. Why was SMILE Initiated? • Developed as an intervention strategy to address retention issues faced by the College • Developed in response to student reports of isolation, loneliness and lack of connection to the College community • Designed to provide opportunities for senior students to have a positive impact on students in transition to College life Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  12. Program Goals • Engage students and provide them with a sense of community • Help students fully adjust to College life • Transfer knowledge of available resources • Positively impact student retention Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  13. Beginning of SMILE Program The SMILE Mentoring Program started as a pilot project in 2002. This pilot was initiated in one academic program at one satellite campus with 10 mentors and 20 protégés. By December 2007, the Program had expanded to three campuses Seneca @York, Newnham and King) with 476 active mentors and 520 protégés. The SMILE Mentoring Program falls under the umbrella of the Counselling, Disability, Health and Learning Centres Department Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  14. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  15. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  16. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  17. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  18. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  19. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  20. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  21. Who Are Our Mentors and Protégés? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  22. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities • Facebook • Mentoring Month • Campus Events • Mentor Club • Leadership Award • Database • Liberal Arts Credit (online course) • Research • Recruitment • Applications & Screening • Training • Matching • Program Maintenance & Evaluation • Marketing • Lead Mentor Program • Recognition Ceremony Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  23. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Recruitment • Class visits at start of each semester • Email Campaign to potential mentors and protégés • Telephone recruitment • On-Campus Advertising • Brochures, Posters, Electronic Signs, Flyers • Referrals • Word of mouth from student to student, referral by Faculty, Program Coordinators, Chairs, Career Services, Student Services, Counselling Department • Events • College Orientation / Open House • On-Campus Events, Frosh Week • College Website Ads (through BlackBoard) Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  24. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Applications & Screening • Mentor Requirements • Senior students (minimum 2nd semester) • Mandatory minimum GPA 3.0 • Completed mentor application • Successful interview with SMILE staff • Protégé Requirements • Completed protégé application Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  25. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Applications & Screening Mentor Candidates… • Embrace the spirit of volunteerism • Commit one hour per week to assist a protégé for a minimum of one semester • Ability to listen and respond appropriately • Availability for 14 hour mentor training • Satisfactory English communication skills Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  26. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Mentor Training • Experiential workshops spread over 14 hours led by SMILE faculty • Includes segments in: • Teambuilding • Leadership • Problem solving • Communication: listening, responding and roadblocks • Learning styles • Boundaries and personal space • Cultural diversity • Knowledge of College resources Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  27. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Matching • Primary Criteria: • academic program • Secondary Criteria: • Protégé preference related to language, interests, cultural background and/or gender • If no preference, we try to match with students from other cultures to enhance cultural understanding and competence Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  28. Program Maintenance & Evaluation Tracking • Database updates • Biweekly mentor logs submitted by mentors • Telephonic follow-up where necessary Evaluation • Analyze feedback forms from: • Mentor Training • Events • Monkey survey on program effectiveness (2006) Oversee mentor and protégé relationships • emails to students • In person connection at workshops and events • drop-in communication Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  29. Program Maintenance & Evaluation ~ SMILE Database • Developed by Seneca ITT department for SMILE in 2007 • Students input their own data • Automatic matching based on protégé’s criteria (manual override) • Email alerts sent out to mentors and protégés • GPA and other student data readily accessible • Statistics easily generated Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  30. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Marketing • SMILE website launched May 2006 • www.senecac.on.ca/smile • SMILE Promotional items • Giveaways include: coffee mugs, pens etc • Quarterly Newsletter • Articles in student newsletter and articles in external publications • Information posted on Blackboard and Facebook • Seneca College Orientation & Open House • Networking • International Mentoring Association • Toronto Mentoring Community of Practice (MCOP) • Conferences, seminars and workshops • International Mentoring Month Participation Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  31. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Marketing Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  32. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Lead Mentor Program • After one semester, mentors are eligible to become Lead Mentors - which are paid Work-Study positions within the College (Leads are usually identified in mentor training) • Lead Mentors: • provide SMILE staff with support at SMILE events • use their strengths to provide assistance in various aspects of the SMILE program e.g. graphic design, administrative tasks • conduct classroom visits with staff for program recruitment • have enhanced resume and employability skills • build leadership skills • are a vital part of the SMILE team • are often called on by the college to be Seneca ambassadors as they have excellent presentation and leadership skills Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  33. Lead Mentor Testimonials “I feel that joining SMILE has done more for me in building my confidence than any other experience I have had in my life.” Jeff Nothing can quite match the self-satisfaction I get from sharing my own experiences with others. Being a Lead Mentor has been the greatest way to build new skills too.” Jovie Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  34. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Recognition Ceremony • Graduation Ceremony held annually for all students who became mentors in the previous year • Attended by President of Seneca, Vice President of Student Success and Director of Counselling, other VIPs, as well as family and friends of students • Students receive certificate signed by Dean and SMILE Coordinator • Speeches by VP, Coordinator and Valedictorian or Alumnus mentor • Refreshments, mingling and photo opportunities! Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  35. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ FACEBOOK • Launched in November 2007 at S@Y as a trial • Will be available to all mentors and protégés from March 2008 • Will allow mentors and protégés to connect across campuses • Will include a discussion board • Event postings and pictures • Use the technology the students are using • SMILE Program Assistant and Lead Mentor are administrators who will also monitor for offensive content and pictures Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  36. Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  37. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Mentoring Month • January is National Mentoring Month • SMILE celebrates this event with a variety of events at two campuses • Events include a Volunteer Information Fair • Random Act of Kindness Day with free hot chocolate, raffle at SMILE table • Fundraising Activities • This year SMILE partnered with SickKids Hospital and all monies raised were donated to the SickKids Foundation Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  38. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Volunteer Fair Testimonial “Our time spent at the [Seneca College] Campus showed us how community minded much of our youth are.  The news is filled with negative stories on youth, not enough time is devoted to the vast majority who, like yourselves, express concern and a desire to help their fellow kind.  Thank you.” Lion Paul Baker, Vice District Governor, District A711 Lions International Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  39. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Campus Events • Twice a semester Lunch ‘N Learn sessions • Networking breakfasts • Sundae Mondays Include talks on topics such as: • Emotional Intelligence • Exam Stress Management • Health and Nutrition • Tax Tips • Personal Growth and Development • Travel deals for students • Student focused events are designed to address student issues, provide opportunities to meet fellow mentors and protégés and to have fun, allowing students to build a supportive network Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  40. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Mentor Club Additional opportunities for mentors to develop leadership and employability skills • Club is part of the Seneca Student Federation and organizes events for the student body as a whole • The Mentor Club from Seneca @ York won the Award for “Best Club” in 2005 Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  41. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Leadership Award • The SMILE Mentoring Program sponsors an annual financial award • Granted to a mentor for their demonstrated leadership and contribution to student life • Award is presented at the Student Services Leadership Award Banquet Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  42. SMILE Mentoring Program Activities ~ Liberal Arts Credit • After completing mentor training, mentors are eligible to undertake SOC105 • The course is 12 weeks in length and is an online format • Gives the students a Liberal Arts Credit towards their College diploma Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  43. Liberal Arts Course Components Critical and creative thinking Discussion Forums Emotional Intelligence Being an effective mentor Cultural diversity Mentoring Time Management Conflict Management Problem solving and goal setting Leadership Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  44. SMILE Mentoring Program ~ Challenges • There is student turnover every semester as new students start programs and other students graduate • This leads to recruitment drives (for mentors and protégés) and mentor training every semester • New lead mentors have to be selected and trained at each campus as established ones graduate Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  45. SMILE Mentoring Program ~ Challenges • Running a uniform program on three campuses with limited staff available • The database needs to be constantly updated and students’ GPA’s checked. Students need to be emailed concerning their status in SMILE • SMILE is unable to expand program to all campuses with current staff complement Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  46. SMILE Mentoring Program ~ Staffing • Full Time • Coordinator • 1 Faculty • 2 fulltime Support Staff • Part Time • 1 Part time Support Staff (24 hours) • 5 Lead Mentors per campus Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  47. Diversity What makes Seneca’s community diverse? Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  48. Diversity ~ Then Non-Traditional Student • Mature students • Younger students • Working students • International students • Students from different cultures • First generation students • Newly immigrated students • Disabled students • Gay and lesbian students Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  49. Diversity What makes YOUR community diverse? Adapted from POWER Learning Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

  50. Diversity ~ Culture • Culture is “a group’s shared collective meaning system through which the group’s collective values, attitudes, beliefs, customs, and thoughts are understood.” Barnett and Lee (2001) Property of Seneca College & the SMILE Mentoring Program

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