engaging student leaders outside the ra position: a peer mentorship model

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 ObjectivesProvide a model for learning community

peer mentorsLearn 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

2011-2012Values Driven Increased Partnerships with Academics

Integrated Mentor role

2010-2011

Values Driven Partnership with Academics3rd year with Mentors

5 Years Ago

Themes No Academic ComponentNo Mentors

LC Mentor History

Year 11 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 PartnershipsLeadership 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 ChallengesDedicated 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

Questions?Iesha Valencia, M.Ed.206-296-6329valencii@seattleu.edu

Nicole Hoyes Wilson, MSW206-296-2589hoyesn@seattleu.edu