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Creating a Peer Mentor Program to Promote Self-Determination and Leadership Cheryl A. Ashcroft

Creating a Peer Mentor Program to Promote Self-Determination and Leadership Cheryl A. Ashcroft Lisa R. Ruebeck. 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

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Creating a Peer Mentor Program to Promote Self-Determination and Leadership Cheryl A. Ashcroft

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  1. Creating a Peer Mentor Program to Promote Self-Determination and Leadership Cheryl A. Ashcroft Lisa R. Ruebeck

  2. 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 Click to add title

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Jared’s Story

  8. 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.

  9. Where We Are Today Eighteen years in the making!

  10. Organizational Structure

  11. 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!

  12. Annual Cycle

  13. 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

  14. Training Overview • Leadership and Identity Development Training (April) • Peer Mentor Training (August) • Mid-Year Retreat (January)

  15. 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

  16. Peer Mentor TrainingFall • Preparing for New Student Orientation • Peer Mentor Handbook • Expectation for Fall Semester • Confidentiality, Waivers, Consent Forms • Role Play Experiences

  17. 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

  18. New Student Orientation • Introduction • Peer Mentor Directed • Small Groups by College • “What I Wish I Knew” • Initial Matching/Sharing of Contact Information • Consent Forms

  19. Fall Mentoring • 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

  20. Peer Mentor Mid-Year RetreatJanuary • Welcome Back and Re-energized! • Review Fall Semester • Plan Spring Programing • Review Expectations

  21. 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)

  22. Funding Resources • Start Small and Keep it Simple • First Year Programming Office • Leadership Development • Student Senate • Parents’ Fund via Institutional Advancement • Institutional Budget

  23. Assessment • First Year Review • Mid-Year Retreat • Assessment Surveys • Parent Donations

  24. 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

  25. Stephanie & Erin

  26. Questions? Review Peer Mentor Handbook

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