Per Mentor Guideline 1

8/7/2019 Per Mentor Guideline 1

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PEER MENTORSHIP

GUIDELINE

April 2011


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Aim : To provide guidance and support (building

bridge) to the new or less experienced students

(mentee) as the mentee works to develop his or

her adaptation skills to the new environment.


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B enefits of mentoring for mentees: It provides an

important support mechanism for new and

inexperienced students to address early the initial

concerns as they struggle to adapt to a new

environment . It helps new students to form

relationships within the institution.


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O ther benefits include:Increased self-confidence

The development of reflective practice (by way of having a critical friend)

Access to networkingA sense of belonging to the institutionA greater understanding of the organizational cultureof the institutionSupport in specific areas of development andperformanceHaving a confidential listener for issues that arise inthe context of their roleP rovide sense of direction for the future


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B enefits for mentors: Mentors are often senior students,they have the opportunity to invest their experience intothe institution and the new students in a unique way.B enefi ts for the mentor from this involvement:

Recognition of expertiseIdentification of possible areas of self-developmentSatisfaction of supporting a colleagues developmentP ossible organizational recognition and reward/incentiveAvenue for developing leadership skills


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Role of a Mentor

A mentor is:A knowledgeable and experienced guide who teaches(and learns) through a commitment to the mutual growthof both mentee and mentor.

A caring, thoughtful, and humane facilitator whoprovides access to people, places, experiences, andresources outside the mentees routine environment. A role model who exemplifies in word and deed what it

means to be an ethical, responsible, and compassionatehuman being. A trusted ally, or advocate, who works with (not for) thementee and on behalf of the mentees best interests and

goals


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As a P eer Mentor, your principal objectives should be to:1. Establish a positive, personal relationship with your

mentee(s). Avoid acting as if you were nothing more than a

professional service provider (Im here to do a job.Im a tutor/peer advisor/student office worker; Im nothere to be your friend!). Make a proactive effort to actas a guide, a coach, and an ally and advocate.

O nce a positive, personal relationship is developed, it

is much easier to realize the remaining three goals. Trust and respect must be established. Regular interaction and consistent support are

important in many mentoring relationships


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2. Help your mentee's to develop academic and lifeskills.

Work to accomplish specific goals (e.g., tutoring

assistance on a homework assignment or peer advising about the best use of free time). When and where appropriate, emphasize life-

management skills such as decision-making, goal

setting, time management, dealing with conflict,values clarification, and skills for coping with stressand fear.


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3 . Assist mentee(s) in accessing academic anduniversity resources.

P rovide information or better yet, help your mentee(s) to find information about academicresources (faculty, staff, academic supportservices, student organizations, etc.). Assist your mentee(s) in learning how to access and use theseresources dont assume that just because theyknow where their professors office is that they alsounderstand how to talk to their professor.


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4 . Enhance your mentees ability to interact comfortably andproductively with people/groups from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural,and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Your own willingness to interact with individuals and groups differentfrom yourself will make a powerful statement about the value placedon diversity. Model the attitudes and behaviors that you emphasize.

Contrary to popular belief, we are not all the same. It is importantto acknowledge and understand, not ignore, our differences. We

need to learn how to use our differences as resources for growth.Respecting our differences is necessary but not sufficient; we needto know how to negotiate our differences in ways that produce newunderstandings and insights.

Everyone holds particular preconceptions and stereotypes about

ones own group and other groups. Take special care that you arenot (intentionally or unintentionally) promoting your own views andvalues at the expense of your mentees viewpoints. Work atunderstanding and critically examining your own perspectives onrace, ethnicity, culture, class, religion, sexual orientation, etc.


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Documents

Per Mentor Guideline 1