Academic Peer Mentorship as a Leadership Development Experience: Fostering Leadership Self-Efficacy

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: Student Learning and Development

Abstract

Undergraduates who serve as academic peer mentors gain a new mastery of the academic content and develop professional skills as a teacher and coach. Through leading small group discussions, study sessions, and activities, as well as working closely with a faculty member, peer mentors may also develop as leaders and problem solvers. In this study of a cross-disciplinary academic peer mentoring program for 225 undergraduates, we built on the socially responsible leadership literature to explore academic peer mentor’s self-efficacy for leading groups. Findings indicate that after serving as an academic peer mentor, students reported higher leadership self-efficacy. Academic peer mentorship programs show promise as a leadership development opportunity for college students.

Authors

• Hannah Elizabeth Jardine, Catholic University of America

• Virginia Byrne, Morgan State University

• Alexis Ymon Williams, University of Maryland - College Park

• Alice E. Donlan, University of Maryland - College Park