Developing a Comprehensive Peer Mentor Program

February 1 - 3, 2012

Orlando, FL

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Overview

Gain expert tips and ideas for a peer mentor program and create a first draft of a plan for your own institution.

In an effort to reduce costs and create leadership opportunities for students, campuses are increasingly turning to peer mentor programs as an ideal solution. Join us for a comprehensive conference that will highlight best practices across a variety of peer mentor programs, the steps to take when developing your peer mentor program, and assessment tools to determine the effectiveness of your program.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Higher education professionals who are hoping to implement a peer mentor program at their institution will benefit from this content. This conference is particularly well suited for institutions who are in the exploratory or developmental stages of creating a peer mentor program, as attendees will leave the event with an implementation action plan. Teams are encouraged to attend.

Optional Post-Conference Workshop: Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

Marketing is a vital component of launching a new peer mentor initiative, especially for programs with voluntary or optional participation. Join us for this post-conference workshop, where Margie Bader will discuss the marketing strategies she has implemented at Seneca College. Explore best practices for gaining new peer mentees and mentors and involving current mentors in the marketing process. Attendees will leave the session with a tool kit of ideas and a marketing outline to guide their marketing initiatives upon returning to campus.

Agenda

Learning Outcome:

After attending this conference, you will be able to formulate a plan to implement a peer mentor program at your institution.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Day 1 will focus on the foundational components of creating a peer mentor program: understanding the components of the program and resourcing it appropriately.

1:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Opening Comments and Introductions

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

Opening Session: Defining Peer Mentoring

In this opening session, the faculty will lead an interactive discussion regarding peer mentorship programs. Defining the key components of a peer mentor program will lay the foundation for the discussion. In addition to discussing different types of peer mentor programs, the faculty will provide an overview of each of their programs and invite attendees to share information on programs or program ideas.

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.

Break

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Defining and Resourcing Your Program

Establishing a clear direction and soliciting the proper resources for any new initiative on campus is the foundation for success. During this session, the faculty will discuss the importance of defining the scope of your peer mentor programs; resourcing considerations such as funding opportunities and special considerations for both large and small schools; administrative considerations including professional staff time, office space, and risks; and opportunities for collaboration across campus.

3:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Breakout Session: Defining Your Program

For this breakout session, you will meet in small groups with a faculty advisor to work through specific program design features to be considered when developing your peer mentor program.

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Working Session: Resourcing Your Program

This first working session provides time for you to reflect and work through the resources you'll need to begin a peer mentor program at your institution. You will leave this session with a comprehensive list of resources necessary for implementing a peer mentor program on your campus.

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Networking Reception (included in registration)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Building on the foundational components covered in Day 1, Day 2 will be a nuts-and-bolts approach to implementing a peer mentor program. Each session incorporates an interactive working component, enabling you to immediately apply the content to the programs at your institution. The afternoon will consist of an interactive peer mentor training activity and a discussion focusing on the elements of a successful training program.

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast (included in registration)

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Creating and Critiquing Learning Outcomes

This session will consist of an overview of the learning outcomes model used by UCF followed by a working component allowing you to map your own learning outcomes. For those institutions who came with learning outcomes prepared, the working session will be used for faculty critique of the prepared outcomes.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Morning Break

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Recruiting, Selecting, and Incentivizing Peer Mentors

This session will consist of a tactical overview of the entire recruitment and selection process highlighting the following topics in each of the key areas:

Recruiting: understanding application models; best practices for soliciting faculty/staff recommendations
Selecting: innovative interview formats and setting criteria for peer mentors
Incentivizing: securing funding for peer mentor stipends; providing course credits for participation; incentives for the budget-conscious program

11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Utilizing Returning Peer Mentors

Returning student leaders can be an invaluable asset to any student leadership program. This session will discuss opportunities to leverage those assets: creating senior leadership positions within your program, using experienced peer mentors to train returning peer mentors, and developing appropriate second-tier learning outcomes for these students.

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch (included in registration)

1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Training Peer Mentors: An Interactive Training Exercise

The afternoon of Day 2 will begin with a hands-on activity to help you understand how to run effective training sessions and experience a training session from a student perspective.

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Training Peer Mentors: Components of a Successful Training Program

Following the interactive training experience, the afternoon will continue with a discussion outlining the components of effective peer mentor training programs and distribution of relevant materials.

3:15 - 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon Break

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Working Session: Training Peer Mentors

The last session of Day 2 will provide the opportunity to outline a training program for your peer mentor program. The faculty will be available to assist you in drafting an agenda, developing training objectives, and identifying key collaborative partners.

Friday, February 3, 2012

To conclude the conference, Day 3 will focus on assessing peer mentoring programs, back-up planning, and next steps.

8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast (included in registration)

9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Assessing and Evaluating your Peer Mentor Program

During this assessment session, you will develop quantitative measurement tools to assess the learning outcomes developed on Day 2.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.

Morning Break

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Back-Up Planning: When Reality Sets In

During this session, the faculty will review tips on generating student interest and staff support and creating a "Plan B" to prepare for the unknown. They will also discuss the importance of a pilot phase for your program and how to manage a pilot phase effectively.

11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Action Plan Revision and Closing Comments

This wrap-up session is a final opportunity for you to review your peer mentor program action plan and solicit feedback from the faculty.

OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

12:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch for Post-Conference Workshop Attendees (included in workshop registration)

1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Optional Post-Conference Workshop: Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

Want more information about this event?

Contact Lisa Wexler, Assistant Conference Director if you'd like additional information about the program agenda.

Instructors

Margie Bader

Program Coordinator, SMILE Mentoring Program and Professor

Seneca College

Margie completed her master's in social service at Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research in Pennsylvania. She is a South African qualified counseling psychologist. Margie's career spans more than 20 years in the fields of education and counseling at the university and college level, both in Johannesburg and Toronto. A highlight of her career was being part of the end of apartheid and helping black students integrate into university life. Since 2006, Margie has coordinated the SMILE (Student Mentoring in Life and Education) program, a major contributor to student retention at Seneca and considered one of the leading postsecondary mentoring programs in Canada. Prior to this, Margie taught psychology and applied professional communication at Seneca (she continues to teach psychology). She also conducts workshops in emotional intelligence for student leaders.

Wayne Jackson

Director, Multicultural Academic and Support Services

University of Central Florida

Wayne is the director of the MASS office at UCF, an office that provides academic programming and support services for more than 21,000 multicultural and first-generation students on the UCF campus. He is a two-time national retention award recipient: the 2010 National Association of Academic Advising (NACADA) Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Certificate of Merit for his leadership in directing the Seizing Opportunities for Achievement and Retention (SOAR) program, and the 2003 Noel-Levitz Retention Excellence Award for his work in directing the Minority Mentoring Program at The College of New Jersey. Wayne has consulted for several institutions, to help develop mentoring programs and increase student retention rates. He speaks nationally on how to increase the retention of at-risk students.

Erik Range

Consultant

Erik Range has presented at several national conferences on topics surrounding retention of at-risk populations, the first-year experience for minority males, and the benefits of summer bridge programs in retaining students of color. Erik has been the assistant director of the Upward Bound program at the University of Miami and, more recently, worked as the coordinator in the Multicultural Academic and Support Services Program at the University of Central Florida. At UCF, he assisted in the development of a newly funded Upward Bound program. He also coordinated UCF's Brother to Brother and Seizing Opportunities for Achievement and Retention programs. Both programs assist students from multicultural, first-generation, and low-income backgrounds in navigating through the collegiate experience.

Sarah E. Whitley

Director, Office of First Year Experience

Longwood University

Sarah has served as the director of the Office of First Year Experience at Longwood University since May 2007. As the first director of this new university initiative, Sarah has developed and implemented a new peer mentor program that creates a holistic and seamless transition for new and transfer students through optional and mandatory components. She has extensive experience working with orientation and registration programs, welcome week events, common reading initiatives, learning communities, freshman seminars, family programs, student success and retention initiatives, and enrollment management. She recently developed a Blackboard-based summer correspondence and extended orientation program for peer mentors and new students. Additionally, Sarah instructs Longwood Seminar, serves as an academic advisor, and is a member of the university crisis-response CARE Team. She has presented regionally and nationally on peer mentoring and first-year student experience programs, student success initiatives, and building cross-divisional relationships on campus.

Location

February 1 - 3, 2012 :: Orlando, FL

hotel

Hotel:

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
One Grand Cypress Blvd
Orlando, FL 32836

To reserve your room, please call 407-239-1234. Please indicate that you are with the Academic Impressions group to receive the group rate.

Room Rate:

The rate is $169 with $10 resort fee for single or double occupancy, plus applicable tax.

Room Block Dates:

A room block has been reserved for the nights of January 31 - February 2, 2012

Rate Available Until:

Make your reservations prior to January 10, 2012. There are a limited number of rooms available at the conference rate. Please make your reservations early.

Additional Information:

An unparalleled hotel experience awaits you at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. From the moment you step into the lush welcoming lobby of this Orlando luxury hotel, you'll be delighted by this magnificent 1,500-acre paradise. Enjoy an endless array of activities, incredible dining choices, and spacious, newly renovated guestrooms. Business travelers will appreciate amenities such as state-of-the-art meeting facilities, a 24-hour business center, and services including Hyatt Fast Board and PDA Check-in, designed to make your stay as welcoming and productive as possible. Enjoy the special touches and the attentive staff that make the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress the unmatched choice among Orlando luxury resorts.

Registration

Conference

Registration Fee Includes:

Full access to all conference sessions and materials, access to the networking reception on Wednesday, breakfast and lunch on Thursday, and breakfast on Friday, as well as refreshments and snacks throughout the conference.

Post Workshop

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#AIpeermentor

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Developing a Comprehensive Peer Mentor Program

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Optional Post-Conference Workshop: Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Opening Comments and Introductions

Opening Session: Defining Peer Mentoring

Break

Defining and Resourcing Your Program

Breakout Session: Defining Your Program

Working Session: Resourcing Your Program

Networking Reception (included in registration)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Continental Breakfast (included in registration)

Creating and Critiquing Learning Outcomes

Morning Break

Recruiting, Selecting, and Incentivizing Peer Mentors

Utilizing Returning Peer Mentors

Lunch (included in registration)

Training Peer Mentors: An Interactive Training Exercise

Training Peer Mentors: Components of a Successful Training Program

Afternoon Break

Working Session: Training Peer Mentors

Friday, February 3, 2012

Continental Breakfast (included in registration)

Assessing and Evaluating your Peer Mentor Program

Morning Break

Back-Up Planning: When Reality Sets In

Action Plan Revision and Closing Comments

OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPMarketing Your Peer Mentor Program

Lunch for Post-Conference Workshop Attendees (included in workshop registration)

Optional Post-Conference Workshop: Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

Want more information about this event?

Margie Bader

Wayne Jackson

Erik Range

Sarah E. Whitley

February 1 - 3, 2012 :: Orlando, FL

Hotel:

Room Rate:

Room Block Dates:

Rate Available Until:

Additional Information:

Conference

Registration Fee Includes:

Post Workshop

Optional Post-Conference Workshop: Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program

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OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
Marketing Your Peer Mentor Program