ACTION PLAN - University of Ulster

!Hold a workshop on how to mentor - train mentors about their role and function as a
mentor, what to expect, how to communicate with mentees, how to keep the relationship
going and how to set boundaries.
!Match pairs on common points - pair according to similarities in research and career
interests, faculty advisers, regional and ethnic backgrounds, and gender.
!Announce pairs early - let them know who one another are during the summer.AThey
need to feel they know the person when they arrive on the doorstep.@
!Bring pairs together when classes start - plan a meeting, luncheon, or other social
event. Keep it informal.
!Encourage the relationship=s development - keep running roster of social events and
urge mentors and mentees to attend.
In the article Minority Student Retention and Academic Achievement in Community
Colleges from ERIC Digests at www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed451859 , it states
that AMentors by providing career-related and psycholosocial assistance to their proteges,
provide the individualized attention students need in dealing with the everyday problems
they encounter in the college environment.@ The AMIGOS (Arranged Mentor for
Instructional Guidance and Organization (or Other) Support is discussed. This model
encourages matching protégés with mentors based on a careful assessment of both
proteges and mentors personality types. The pairs participate in problem-based activities,
training and information sessions about classes, assignments and other institutional
resources. They also participate in social activities within and outside the organization.
A positive relationship has been found between participation in the mentoring program
and persistence rates of minority students.
Twenty-nine (29) pages of Mentoring Programs in Higher Education have been
published by the National Education Association. Descriptions, Achievements and
Quirks as well as contact names, numbers and e-mail address are given for 34 university
programs.
Mid Michigan Community College began its peer mentoring program in Fall 1999. Peer
Mentors are described as successful second year students hired to help first year students
become acclimated to college life. The Peer Mentors provide program information and
academic advising during orientations and peak registration, and are available throughout
the each semester for outreach, to meet with students, and provide campus-wide
assistance within departments. This program recognizes that students constantly seek,
obtain, and act on information they receive from other students. Therefore, they feel it
makes sense to have informed mentors provide this information. The 1999-2000 pilot
project realized a 10.2% increase in student retention from Fall to Winter semesters.
During 2000-2001 the retention increased 12.5%.
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