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Engaging Student Leaders Outside the RA Position: A Peer Mentorship Model. Iesha Valencia, M.Ed. Nicole Hoyes Wilson, MSW .
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Engaging Student Leaders Outside the RA Position: A Peer Mentorship Model Iesha Valencia, M.Ed. Nicole Hoyes Wilson, MSW
“This has been primarily an interpersonal engagement, a growth of skills in creative consensus formation, and a "leadership" that is more in tune with the ways in which my interests and passions can be made to serve others within the given framework of a themed community or a themed need.” Casey Jones 2nd Year Mentor Xavier Global House Millie Bown Russell Leadership How has being a Mentor engaged you as a student leader?
Provide a model for learning community peer mentors • Learn from our successes and challenges • Provide an opportunity for shared best practices Learning Objectives
Overview of SU Learning Communities • Why do we need LC Mentors? • LC Mentor Responsibilities • Recruitment, Selection & Training • Assessment • Lessons Learned • Group Discussion • Mentor Narratives Today’s Flow:
Private Jesuit Catholic Institution • Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world. Seattle University
LC’s provide students an opportunity to integrate their in class and out of class experiences. • Benefits • Retention • Sense of belonging • Integrated experience Why Learning Communities?
“I wanted to be a Learning Community Mentor above all other SU leadership positions because it offers me the best of both worlds; I believe that my position as mentor has granted me the ability to create an amazing community in my hall and, at the same time, keep up my duties as a student and extremely active member of the SU campus and Seattle Community.” Katherine Owen 1st Year Mentor Xavier Global House Why did you choose to become a mentor rather than other leadership positions on campus?
Leadership Teams • Faculty Director • Residence Hall Director • Seminar Faculty • Relevant Campus Departments • Resident Assistants • Mentors Learning Community Partnerships
Roles & Responsibilities Resident Assistant vs. LC Mentor • Administrative tasks • Policies & procedures • Conflict mediation • Crises response • Room & board • No monetary compensation
Recruitment & Selection • 2011-2012 Recruitment • Nomination postcards • Info sessions in Residence Halls • Application • Interview with RHD • Interview with Faculty Director of LC • Selection & Placement
Spring Training • Fall Training • Quarterly Trainings • Individual Development from RHD Training & Development
“My passions for leadership and community have definitely been utilized in this position as a mentor. I love leadership and the feeling of living in a strong community. Living in the Millie last year really helped me embrace these passions and demonstrate them to the residents that live on the floor. Having a strong passion for community is something that will really help the department and staff. Rachel Ehrenkranz 1st Year Mentor Millie Bown Russell Leadership Have your joys, passions and talents been utilized to the best of your ability in this position? How can we better utilize these as a department/staff?
Department surveys • How can we assess the impact mentors have on the community? • How can we use the mentors to assess our Learning Outcomes? • Mid-year Mentor evaluation • End of year Mentor evaluation Assessment
Achievements Challenges • Dedicated students • Signature programs • Millie Retreat • Xavier: community of the year nomination • Retention • Feeder to other leadership positions • Reduction in RA stress • Role confusion • Compensation • Motivation • Supervision • Accountability • RA/Mentor relationship • Training Lessons Learned
Group Mixtures: • Institutions who have mentors • Institutions who are developing programs • Institutions who are interested in developing a program • Common success & challenges • Report Out Group Dialogue & Discussion
Iesha Valencia, M.Ed. • 206-296-6329 • valencii@seattleu.edu Nicole Hoyes Wilson, MSW • 206-296-2589 • hoyesn@seattleu.edu Questions?