Promoting Success Through Peer Support

Arezu Corella & Mary Frances Kuper

Beyond Boundaries December 12, 2011

• Home to: Arizona Assurance, Commencement, Early Alert, New Start, Prodigy, SA Outreach Facilitators, SSS/TRiO.

• Majority of programs are based on peer mentor model.

• Open-access and targeted programs for first-generation, low-income, and minority students.

About Academic Success & Achievement…

• Benefits

o Psychosocial support

o Provide emotional support

o Share their own experiences

o Provide information

oCareer support

oAssist with career choices

oAssist in achievement of educational goals

oAssist in navigating through the university

Peer Mentor Research

• Students who are in mentoring

programs are more satisfied

with their education (Budge,

2006)

• Peer mentoring also helps

increase student engagement

(Sanches, Bauer, & Paronto,

2008)

Student Experience

• Weekly/Bi-Weekly Workshops

• Individual Mentorship

• Grade & Assignment Sheets

• Self-Reported Progress Reports

• Staff Monitoring of Academic Progress

• Social & Service Learning Opportunities

Benefit of This Approach: Allows for

flexibility of students’ schedules

Workshop-Based Approach

• Peer Advisors as preceptors

• Facilitate daily workshops on college-success/academic topics

• Out-of-class 1:1 appointments

• Out-of-class involvement assignments

• Research articles focused on student success/retention data

• Benefit of this approach: Grade-based, mandated participation allowing for all students to receive the same level of services and support (validation for research and assessment purposes)

Course-Based Approach

Technological/Phone-Based for issues surrounding:

• Early Alert Notices

• Non-Registration

• Off-Campus Freshmen

• Departmental Support (AZA)

Supplemental Programming

Benefit of this approach: Allows for larger case loads with both high-tech and “high-touch” strategies and student interaction based on comfort levels

Technology-Based Approach

• Participant Leadership Model: Majority of student leaders are former participants

• Outreach to strategic partners

• Joint application for multiple programs (Prodigy, TRiO, New Start)

• Number of Applicants: 120- All receive interviews as part of a professional development process.

Creating a Competitive Applicant Pool

• January: Student Coordinator

Applications Become Available

• February: CT Interviews; Peer

Advisor Positions Become

Available

• March: PA Applications Due;

Interviews Begin

• April: Group Interview;

Selections Announced

Application Timeline

• Application Features: Essay questions & staff recommendations

• Individual Interviews

- Scenario-Based Questions

• Group Interview Sample Activities: Mock 1:1s, group presentation, Zoom, Written Response, Group Diversity Discussion

What the Process Looks Like…

• Student leadership experience

• Interest in the field of education

• Willingness to learn

• Public speaking/facilitation skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Ability to interact with/engage

others

• Commitment to diversity

• GPA of 2.75 or above

What We Look For

Training topics include: - Diversity/Social Justice: Issues in Higher Ed

- Ethics & Integrity/Professionalism

- University Code of Conduct

- Creating Learning Outcomes/Agendas

- Classroom Management

- Conflict/Crisis Management

- Paraprofessional Counseling Skills

- Residence Life Protocols (if residential program)

- Social Networking Standards/Expectations

- Working with Students with Disabilities/ Universal Design

Training: New Start

Sample Topics:

• Goal-Setting

• Time Management

• Test-Taking & Study Skills

• Library Resources

• Public Speaking/Presentation

• Health & Wellness

• Personal Finances

• Civic Engagement & Leadership

• Career Readiness & Preparation

• Preparing for Sophomore Year

Creating Your Curriculum

Sample Activities:

- Boys & Girls Club School Supplies Drive

- Aids Walk/Race for the Cure

- Fall Harvest Food Drive

- Ben’s Bells

- Year in Photos: The Freshmen Experience

- High School Visitations

* Attendance better if on-campus or transportation is provided.

Social & Service Learning Opportunities

• Staff intervention is often

necessary

• PAs should be observed early

• The role of the Peer Advisor

should be outlined clearly with

protocol for when issues should

be forwarded to staff

• Student/Student Staff

Relationships & Socialization

• Continuous training is a must

Cautions About Peer Advising

Use social media to:

• Engage students with low levels

of participation

• Increase your presence and

visibility on campus

• Recruit new members and

answer common questions

• Reach students with updates

• Create real-time announcements

• Development & fund-raising

The Benefits of Social Media

• Let your student staff create/manage departmental pages (with training)

• Online contests

• Post photos of events/participants

• Collaborate with other departments for cross-posting

• Utilize other experts on campus

Increasing Interaction with Social Media

• Identify student population

o First-year students

o Probation students

o Specific majors

o Identify type of program

oWorkshop series

o Success course

o Peer mentoring only

Academic Program Development

• Identifying peer mentors

oCriteria

oClass Standing

oGPA

oMajor

o Process

oApplication

o Interview

o Selection

Program Development Cont.

• Revenue from summer courses

• Internship credit for PAs

• Department resources

• Courses taught by Advisors

Funding

• Target Student Population

• Type of Program (Workshop, Class)

• Potential Funding Resources

• Recruiting Prospective Staff/ Volunteers

• Key Stakeholders to Gain Support

• Creating a Course for Credit

• Key Departments/Partners

• Special Issues & Training Needs

Group Activity: Creating a Program

Dr. Arezu Corella

Director, Arizona Assurance

arezu@email.arizona.edu

(520) 626-3500

Mary Frances Kuper

Director, New Start & Prodigy

mmiller@email.arizona.edu

(520) 621-5773

Contact Us