Navigating Rough Waters with a Successful Peer Mentoring Program

1
Navigating Rough Waters with a Successful Peer
Mentoring Program
Dr. Carol Gattis Associate Professor of
Industrial Engineering Director Recruitment,
Retention Diversity
2
Current Situation

• NSF declared national crisis
• Charged to increase retention and graduation rate
• Engineering graduation rateslt35
• Tintos rule of thumb
• Peer mentoring

3
Development

• 2004 NACADA conference
• NACADA peer advising listserv
• Peer mentoring research literature
• Suzanne Brainard industry mentoring
• UofA Psychological Services
• UA Engineering Program
• Pilot in 2005
• Voluntary in 2006
• Mandatory in 2007

4
1st Semester Results

• Engineering spring retention
• 94 for mentored
• 78 for non-mentored
• University spring retention
• 100 for mentored
• 93 non-mentored
• GPA
• Mentored students 2X more likely to have GPAgt2.5
• Avg GPA of mentored 9 higher

5
Freshman Year Results

• Engineering Freshman Retention
• 72 for mentored
• 63 for non-mentored
• University Retention
• 91 for mentored
• 85 for non-mentored

6
Secrets to Success

• 10 Key factors
• Mentor selection
• Mentor training
• Mentee solicitation
• Mentee training
• Matching mentor to mentee
• Weekly targeted 1-on-1 meetings
• Right information at right time
• Appropriate referrals
• Group mentee social activities
• Mentor handbook

7
Mentor Selection

• Mentor characteristics
• Mature
• Trustworthy
• Enthusiastic
• Junior or senior
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Positive attitude
• Team player
• Cultural sensitivity
• 3.0 GPA
• Available 7-10 hours/week
• Credit vs. paid

8
Mentor Training

• Mentors need to learn
• Campus resources
• Ethics involved
• How to listen
• Avoid making decisions for mentees
• Handle typical and difficult situations
• Be professional
• Gain mentees respect
• Handbook development

9
Mentee Solicitation

• Pilot Voluntary Mandatory
• 40 140 400
• Orientation, email and flyers
• Mentored vs. non-mentored profiles
• Mentee training session
• Program
• Questionnaire for matching
• Mentee expectation worksheet

10
Mentor-Mentee Matching

• Personalities need to mesh
• Matching method
• Mutual respect
• Mutual enjoyment of each other
• Result is candid conversation and incentive to
  meet

11
Weekly Meetings

• 1-on-1
• Initially 50 minutes, then 20 minutes
• Targeted with weekly theme
• Other concerns
• Mentor and Mentee Agreement

12
Right Info at Right Time

• Clemsons advisor website
• Weekly description of emotional and academic
  stresses
• Modified for UA engineering students
• Topics
• Study habits, test scores and perspective
• Professor etiquette
• Organizational skills
• Dropping classes
• Midterm survival
• Perspective changes
• Roommates and friends
• Health and wellness

13
Referrals / Social Activities

• Referrals
• Mentors refer in compassionate and tactful manner
• Social Activities
• Group outings
• Relaxed settings
• Form new friendships

14
Mentor Handbook

• Natural mentor turnover
• Internships
• Graduation
• Job search and senior design
• Provides consistency
• Details
• Appropriate behavior
• Regulations
• Weekly topics
• Handling serious situations

15
Costs

• 95/mentee
• For 140 students
• Hourly wages 11,626
• Catering 860
• Supplies 790
• Total 13,276

16
Questions?