A Three-Year Evaluation of Graduate Student Peer Mentor Programs in Education

• In Event: Park Central Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Mentoring Initiatives

Abstract

To increase student success and retention, universities are implementing and studying diverse student supports and strategies that help new students make a successful transition into higher education. Peer Mentor Programs that involve more senior students (mentors) providing social and academic supports to beginning students (mentees) at the start of their programs is one such strategy. This research draws upon a systematic review of current research on the benefits, challenges, implementation, theories and evaluation of peer mentor programs in the higher education context in describing the design, implementation and evaluation of a peer mentor program for graduate students in education over the first three years of operation.

Authors

• Michele Jacobsen, University of Calgary

• Deborah Gail Lambert, University of Calgary