Peer Mentoring

What is Peer Mentoring?

Peer mentoring programs match older youth with young students in one-on-one relationships to provide guidance in many areas. 

There are many advantages of peer mentoring for the mentor and the mentoree alike.  Peer mentoring may help new students adapt to a new academic environment faster.  The relationship between the mentor and mentoree gives the mentoree a sense of being connected to the larger community where they may otherwise feel lost.  Mentors are chosen because they are academically successful and because they possess good communication, social and leadership skills.  As a consequence, mentors serve as positive role models for the students, guiding them towards academic and social success.  Mentors provide support, advice, encouragement, and even friendship to students.  Peer mentoring may improve student retention rates.

Mentors also stand to benefit from the mentor/mentoree relationship.  Mentors develop friendships through their participation in mentoring programs.  Mentors also benefit from the satisfaction of helping a younger student, and possibly shaping a young students life in a positive way. 

The compatibility of mentor and mentoree is a factor that is taken into consideration when choosing pairs.  Mentors and mentorees may benefit from having similar backgrounds, interests and life experiences.

Because student mentors are closer in age, knowledge, authority and cognitive development than adult mentors, mentorees often feel freer to express ideas, ask questions, and take risks.  These similarities also make it easier for mentors to understand personal and academic problems that the mentoree may be experiencing, and present solutions in a more understandable and relevant way.

The Mentoring Program looks to accomplish the following:

Improve grades

Improve school attendance

Improves self-esteem and confidence

Teaches valuable communication skills

Teaches mentors the importance of commitment and sensitizes them to the needs, experiences, and situations of other members of their community.