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Pay it forward: the benefits of student mentoring programs for both first year students and mentors Trends & Issues

Pay it forward: the benefits of student mentoring programs for both first year students and mentors Trends & Issues. Sophie Relf (Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences) and Tristana Sidoryn (Division of Business) University of South Australia.

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Pay it forward: the benefits of student mentoring programs for both first year students and mentors Trends & Issues

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  1. Pay it forward: the benefits of student mentoring programs for both first year students and mentorsTrends & Issues Sophie Relf (Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences) and Tristana Sidoryn (Division of Business) University of South Australia

  2. “I feel that by being a Mentor, I am no longer just a student but a member of a dynamic community that appreciates those who are willing to make a contribution.”

  3. “Leadership skills, teamwork skills, intercultural skills, knowledge in diversity at University, experiences that will help me in my career and many more”

  4. Welcome Trends and issues – benefits of student mentoring programs Questions for the audience Who are we?   Sophie Relf, Transition Coordinator in the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences - Div EAS Mentors Tristana Sidoryn, Coordinator: Student Transition in the Division of Business - Business Mates Trends and Issues sessionOverview

  5. University of South Australia Divisional Context Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences Division of Business University of South Australia

  6. SECTION 1: Case Studies Overview SECTION 2: Trend Overview SECTION 3: Case Studies Evaluated Benefits SECTION 4: Discussion with audience SECTION 5: Conclusion Brief Overview of Presentation

  7. Mentors volunteer Focus on social not just academic mentoring Not just an orientation period program Automatic assignment of Mentors Ratio of Mentor to Mentees in 2008 approx 1:15 160 Mentors and 2,500 Mentees Case Study Overview – Div EAS Mentor Program

  8. Mentees receive assistance - 3 ways: Email Face-to-Face in the Mentor Space “Ask a Mentor” Purpose of Program Positive interaction Orientate new students Encourage Mentors in their development Impact positively on the attrition rates Case Study Overview – Div EAS Mentor Program

  9. Context Pilot in 2007 Student Experience Questionnaire results Purposes Transition to the university Facilitate social interactions between students Overview Undergraduate/postgraduate students Volunteer basis Orientation and social activities 1500 new undergraduate students - automatically allocated Business Mates Business Mates work in a pair (matching 2:50) Case Study Overview – Business Mates

  10. General benefits for Mentees Why we run socially based programs adjust to life at University gain confidence at University socialise at University increasing retention of Mentees providing positive ways to engage with the institution at different levels Comments from Mentees “The best part is there was no pressure for participating but at the same time the support was still there. The occasional emails were enough and not too much” Trend Overview - Mentees

  11. Business Mates programCase study evaluated benefits - Mentees Business Mates survey results • Best part – social activities (Pizza Thursdays) • Questions from the Student Experience Questionnaire were asked in the surveys “I feel I am part of the UniSA community”

  12. Business Mates programCase study evaluated benefits - Mentees “I am happy with the level of interaction I have with other students”

  13. EAS Mentor program survey results 82% found the program useful 69% felt supported by their Mentor Case study evaluated benefitsMentees – Div EAS Mentor Program

  14. Giving something back “To give something back to the university for the way I have been valued and treated.” Helping others “Being in the position of helping others is the most positive aspect of the whole program.” Meeting other students “Get more chance to interact with the others in the uni not just the people in my own program.” Developing skills “Leadership skills, teamwork skills, intercultural skill, knowledge in diversity at University.” Involved in university life “I have found the mentor program comes to exist as a second 'family' within the uni and has been a great social network and area of/for support.” Trend OverviewBenefits of mentoring – Student Mentors

  15. Div EAS Mentor Program Case Studies & Evaluated Benefits • 99% of Div EAS Mentors - recommend becoming a mentor • 98% advised they would mentor again • 76% of the Mentors agreed that they had gained skills or learnt information • 86% felt valued in the role 82% 52%

  16. Business MatesCase Studies & Evaluated Benefits • 95% of the Business Mates were satisfied with the program • 100% of the Business Mates would recommend being a Business Mate • 76% of the Business Mates agreed that they had gained skills or learnt information • 88% felt valued in the role

  17. Discussion • Who here has been involved in student mentoring programs before? • Are there other benefits for student mentors which we haven’t explored? • What are the ways of valuing student mentors?

  18. Conclusion Thank you for attending & contributing to the session.

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