Do Peer Mentors register for the LSIC they're working with?

Do Peer Mentors get training?

What if students can't register for LS 205 or LS 305?

How many hours a week do Peer Mentors work?

What is the LSIC Peer Mentor Program?

The Peer Mentor program places current successful UNC Asheville students in the LSIC 179 and 379 courses. Peer Mentors show new students what it takes to succeed at UNC Asheville and present positive examples of academic integrity, academic success skills (time management, study skills, etc), responsible student decision-making, and balanced extra-curricular involvement.

What do LSIC Peer Mentors do?

Peer Mentors work both in and out of the classroom to guide students through issues such as academic decision-making, time management, study skills, major exploration, campus issues, and adjustment difficulties.

Peer Mentors help LSIC instructors design class activities and assignments, help facilitate in-class discussions, and work with students in difficulty.

They organize extra-curricular social and academic activities, serve as an additional point of contact for students outside of class, set up peer editing or study sessions, and refer students to appropriate university resources.

How do students get to be mentors?

Students can apply to be mentors in 1 of 3 ways:

1. A LSIC instructor identifies the student as a good match for them and their LSIC and encourages the student to apply.

2. The student identifies a particular LSIC class or instructor and approaches them to see if the instructor would like them to serve as their Peer Mentor.

3. The student expresses interest in the Peer Mentor program to the Program Coordinator, who contacts the LSIC faculty that don't already have a Peer Mentor and asks them to consider working with the interested student.

Are there requirements students must meet to be Peer Mentors?

There are no set requirements students must meet to apply as Peer Mentors. However, student who participate in this program should be in good academic standing (GPA over a 2.0), should have been on campus at least 2 semesters, and should be involved in academic or campus activities outside the classroom.

To participate in the Peer Mentor program, students must be assigned to a particular LSIC instructor (see "how do students get to be mentors") and must register for LS 205: Peer Mentoring or LS 305: Leadership in Peer Mentoring.

How do I choose a Peer Mentor?

In selecting a Peer Mentor, you should carefully consider your needs. Do you want an outgoing student who can actively help lead class discussions? Do you want a student who is active in campus activities and organizations? Do you want a student you have taught in class or someone you know through departmental activities? Do you want a Peer Mentor who knows something about the subject of your LSIC or someone who can learn alongside the students?

It is very important to take the way your Peer Mentor will interact with you and your LSIC students into account when selecting a Peer Mentor.

Can students mentor in a different LSIC than the one they took as a new student?

Students are welcome to Peer Mentor in classes they have not taken themselves. It will be up to you and your Mentor to decide how in-depth their understanding of your LSIC topic should be.

Why do students like having Peer Mentors?

Students report that they like having a Peer Mentor for many reasons. In general, their responses fall into three categories:

1. They like having someone closer to their own age that they can go to with questions or problems. For many students, going to a peer in much less intimidating than approaching a faculty member, especially for new freshmen.

2. They like hearing suggestions, ideas, and recommendations for everything from how to set up a schedule to how to study to what to do downtown from a peer. They often find it easier to "believe" a peer than a faculty or staff person because their peer is speaking from personal experience.

3. They appreciate being able to develop a supportive relationship with a peer without having to actively seek it out, which can be very daunting for students.

What do other faculty say about having Peer Mentors?

Faculty report that Peer Mentors are helpful in several ways:

1. Mentors can helpful develop new and creative teaching activities and assignments that appeal to students and get them excited about learning.

2. Mentors lend a second level of contact and support for students. They can talk with students to help them sort out issues before the students go to the faculty member, and they are often available for students when faculty are not (night, weekends, etc).

3. Peer Mentors can help lend a sense of continuity to the class by leading classes when faculty members have to miss classes for conferences, illness, etc.

4. Mentors help instructors remember their experiences as students, which in turn helps us be better teachers.

What advice do former Peer Mentors have for me as I work with my mentor?

Quotes from the Fall 2008 Peer Mentors

Do Peer Mentors register for the LSIC they're working with?

No. Peer Mentors have already taken their LSIC, and students cannot get credit for more than 1 LSIC course. In addition, Peer Mentors would have to confront some difficult ethical questions if they were receiving academic credit for a course in which were also helping other students edit papers, study for exams, and design projects.

Do Peer Mentors get training?

Yes. First-time Mentors register for LS 205 in the semester they are serving as Peer Mentors. This course teaches them the fundamentals of peer leadership, important information about campus resources, academic policies, and academic success skills, and scholarly information about the college student experience. Experienced Peer Mentors register for LS 305, which allows them to further develop their skills in peer mentoring and leadership and developing strong relationships with faculty and students.

What if students can't register for LS 205 or LS 305?

The Program Coordinator will, to the furthest extent possible, accommodate students who can't register for LS 205 or 305 due to extenuating circumstances (time conflict, etc). Students who cannot register for LS 205 or 305 and are still allowed to participate in the program will still undergo training and academic work, usually through an independent study or other alternate arrangements with the Coordinator. 

How many hours a week do Peer Mentors work?

Peer Mentors should be able to devote about 7-9 hours/week to the experience. While the exact amount of time needed will depend on your agreement with your Peer Mentor, they should plan to spend (on average): 3 hrs/week in their LSIC, 2hrs/week in LS 205 or 305, 1-2 hrs/week staying on top of the academic work in the LSIC course, and 1-2 hrs/week talking with students outside of class/planning extra-curricular activities/meeting with you, etc. Some Peer Mentors spend much more time than this, but 7-9 hours/weeks is a good starting point.

What do Peer Mentors receive for compensation?

Peer Mentors receive a $350 stipend at the end of their experience, provided that they satisfactorily meet their LSIC instructor's expectations. In addition, they receive copies of the LSIC textbooks for use during the semester, and complimentary copies of the Summer Reading book if they are mentoring in a 179 course.

Can students serve as Peer Mentors more than once?

Yes! Students who are serving as Peer Mentors a second (or third) time register for LS 305. A mentor's second experience can be with the same instructor as their first, or they can work with a different instructor.