Mentor-Mentee Relationship Development for College Access

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eight
  In Roundtable Session: Urban Learning, Teaching and Research SIG Roundtable Three (Table 16)

Abstract

Aspirational peer mentoring has potential for improving college access for minoritized students. In this study, we examined the relationship between first generation undergraduate mentors’ (n = 18) emotional intelligence and level of mentee contact to their mentees’ (n = 18) perception of match quality. Quantitative results suggest mentor characteristics (emotional intelligence) was not related to mentee perceptions of match quality but that time spent on relationship building is a contributor to mentor-mentee closeness (measured on the Youth Mentoring Survey) based on comparisons of high number and low number of mentor contacts made with mentees. Qualitative results from mentor interviews support findings from previous research that identifies mentor authenticity and companionship over time as impacting perceptions of the mentoring relationship quality.

Authors

• Deborah A. Perez, University of Miami
  Presenting Author

• Wendy Morrison-Cavendish, University of Miami
  Presenting Author

• Kayla Larkin, University of Miami
  Presenting Author