engaging student leaders outside the ra position: a peer mentorship model iesha valencia, m.ed....
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Engaging Student Leaders Outside the RA Position: A
Peer Mentorship Model
Iesha Valencia, M.Ed.Nicole Hoyes Wilson, MSW
How has being a Mentor engaged you as a student leader?
“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 Jones2nd Year Mentor
Xavier Global HouseMillie Bown Russell
Leadership
Learning Objectives
Provide a model for learning community peer mentors
Learn from our successes and challengesProvide an opportunity for shared best
practices
Today’s Flow:
Overview of SU Learning CommunitiesWhy do we need LC Mentors?LC Mentor ResponsibilitiesRecruitment, Selection & TrainingAssessmentLessons LearnedGroup Discussion Mentor Narratives
Seattle University
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.
History of LCs
Why Learning Communities?
LC’s provide students an opportunity to integrate their in class and out of class experiences.
Benefits◦ Retention◦ Sense of belonging ◦ Integrated experience
Overview of Seattle University Learning Communities
2011-2012
Values Driven Increased Partnerships with AcademicsIntegrated Mentor role
2010-2011
Values DrivenPartnership with Academics
3rd year with Mentors
5 Years Ago
ThemesNo Academic Component
No Mentors
LC Mentor History
Year 1
1 LC
•All returning students were mentors
•Faculty Feedback
•Divisional Needs
•Best Practices
Year 22
LC’s
•Newly developed role w/application process
•Job description
•Quarterly Development
•Mid-Year Evaluation Process
Year 33
LC’s
•Further developed role
•Revised job description
•Quarterly Development
•Mid Year Evaluation Process
•Mentor Involvement with Committees
•Early Move In
Current
Why did you choose to become a mentor rather than other leadership positions on campus?
“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 Owen1st Year Mentor
Xavier Global House
Roles & Responsibilities of theLC Mentor
Promote the LC specific goals and values
Relationship building with residents
Assist with Departmental needs
Program development and implementation
Attend regular meetings
Learning Community Partnerships
Leadership Teams◦ Faculty Director◦ Residence Hall Director◦ Seminar Faculty◦ Relevant Campus Departments◦ Resident Assistants◦ Mentors
Resident Assistant vs. LC Mentor Administrative tasks Policies & procedures Conflict mediation Crises response Room & board
No monetary compensation
Roles & Responsibilities
Community Development Programming Role Model
Communication & Collaboration
2011-2012 Recruitment◦Nomination postcards◦Info sessions in Residence Halls◦Application◦Interview with RHD◦Interview with Faculty Director of LC◦Selection & Placement
Recruitment & Selection
Spring Training Fall TrainingQuarterly TrainingsIndividual Development from RHD
Training & Development
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?
“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
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 evaluationEnd of year Mentor evaluation
Assessment
Reflection
Achievements Challenges
Dedicated studentsSignature programsMillie RetreatXavier: community of
the year nominationRetentionFeeder to other
leadership positionsReduction in RA
stress
Role confusionCompensationMotivation SupervisionAccountabilityRA/Mentor
relationshipTraining
Lessons Learned
Group Mixtures:Institutions who have mentorsInstitutions who are developing programsInstitutions who are interested in developing a
programCommon success & challengesReport Out
Group Dialogue & Discussion
