Trio Student Support Services

The TRiO

Make It Happen!

Mentoring Program

Mentor Training Manual

TRiO Student Support Services

Edmonds Community College

2012-2013

2012-2013 Edition

January 10, 2011

Mentor Training Manual Created By: Allison Paytosh

Program Coordinator, Make It Happen TRiO Mentor Program

Student Engagement Specialist (AmeriCorps)

TRiO Student Support Services

October 27, 2011

Mentor Training Manual 2011-2012 Edition Edited By: Katie Gast

Program Coordinator, Make It Happen TRiO Mentor Program

Student Engagement Specialist (AmeriCorps)

TRiO Student Support Services

September 5, 2012

Mentor Training Manual 2012-2013 Edition Edited By: Laura Caferro

Program Coordinator, Make It Happen TRiO Mentor Program

Student Engagement Specialist (AmeriCorps)

TRiO Student Support Services

Contents

I. Opening Address

·  Mission Statement 4

·  Vision 4

II. Description of Involvement

·  What is Peer Mentoring 5

·  How is Mentoring Different from Tutoring 5

·  Benefits of Being a Mentor 6

·  Description of duties 7

·  Mentor Agreement 8

·  Mentee Agreement 9

·  Confidentiality Agreement 10

III. Policies and Procedures

·  Confidentiality 11

·  Boundaries 12

·  Crisis management 13

IV. Relationship Development and Maintenance

·  How to be an effective mentor 14

·  Mentoring sessions 15

·  Effective closure of mentoring relationship 15

V. General Expectations

·  Tracking your mentoring relationship 16

·  Mentor Support Group 16

VI. A Mentor’s Toolkit

·  Focused Attending 17

·  Cultural Sensitivity 18

·  Your Basic Rights 18

·  TRiO resources 19

·  EdCC resources 20

·  Website resources 21

·  Mentor To-Do List 22

VII. Appendices

·  Initial email template 23

·  Pre-mentoring survey 24

·  Post-mentoring survey 25

·  TRiO Mentee Tracking Log 26

·  TRiO Mentor Development Tracking Log 27

VIII. References 28

Mission Statement

The Make It Happen, TRiO Mentoring Program will provide new TRiO students with a supportive one-on-one relationship with a peer mentor who’s focused on promoting the overall success of the student.

The objectives of this program are to help new TRiO students:

·  Develop and strengthen a sense of student identity.

·  Become effectively integrated into the school, faculty, and campus as a whole.

·  Articulate a sense of purpose about being enrolled at EdCC and pursuing their education.

·  Acquire the necessary skills to become independent and life-long learners.

Vision Statement

The vision of the TRiO Make it Happen Mentoring Program is to enhance the quality of experience, and improve the success of, TRiO students at Edmonds Community College. This will thereby contribute to the cumulative success of the EdCC student body and the community in which it operates.

What is Peer Mentoring?

In order to define what a Peer Mentor is, we must first acknowledge what it means to be someone’s ‘peer’. A peer is defined as “someone who is of equal standing with you—a friend, a colleague, a fellow student” as explained by mentoring specialists Marni Sanft, Michael Jensen, and Eldon McMurray (5). We all have many, many peers throughout our lifetime! However, we do not all experience what it is like to have a mentor.

A mentor is someone who fosters a structured and trusting relationship with their mentee by providing “constructive role-modeling, encouragement towards raised aspirations, and by positive reinforcement for the achievement of goals” (Grove and Huon 3). When someone fits the description of both a peer and a mentor, we call them a peer mentor. This is an individual who “has learned from experience and has developed skills to successfully guide other students through college.” A peer mentor can act as an adviser, a guide, a sounding board, and a resource (Sanft, Jensen, and McMurray 5).

A peer mentor is more focused on “promoting the overall success of the whole student, not just developing proficiency in a particular subject” (7). As a peer mentor, you will attempt to build a more personal relationship with your peers and help them recognize their goals and abilities so that they may achieve success!

A focus group of to-be mentors provided the following characteristics to describe what a ‘mentor’ means to them: good listener, empathetic, supportive, strong character, dependable, people-person, outgoing, knowledgeable of resources, flexible, works well with others, and maintains boundaries. Another important characteristic of a mentor is having “optimism about life”, as was expressed by several college students. One’s positive attitude will encourage and support other students to discover their own abilities to succeed (5).

As a mentor, one should hold great appreciation for their role. The value of mentoring is immeasurable. Mentors should feel a sense of commitment to the program. Effective mentors are those who recognize the great opportunity to make a lasting contribution in a mentee’s life.

How is Mentoring Different from Tutoring?

A “tutor may develop a relationship with the student being tutored, but the role in most tutoring situations is to teach or clarify content specific to a course”. Tutoring is limited to a specific time, space, and subject. However, mentoring is not (7). Mentoring skills can compliment tutoring skills and improve the overall experience of the person receiving assistance.

Benefits of Being a Mentor

·  Connect and contribute to your campus community

·  Develop leadership and mentoring skills

·  Empower others to succeed

·  Enjoy camaraderie with other peer mentors

·  Enrich your college experience

·  Experience the satisfaction that comes from serving others

·  Gain experience that looks good on a resume

·  Improve communication and people skills

·  Increase academic confidence

·  Learn to navigate the college system

·  Make new friends

·  Master key learning strategies

·  Network with faculty and students

·  Create and participate in service-learning opportunities

·  Receive a scholarship or other form of compensation

·  Take responsibility for your own success

·  Have fun!

(Sanft, M., Jensen, M., and McMurray 12-13)

Activity

Think of an individual(s) who has mentored you. Take a moment to reflect on that experience. What was it about them that influenced you? What traits or qualities made this person an effective mentor? What, if any, lessons did you learn from them? Then, share and reflect with the group.

______

Description of Duties

·  Develop an enduring, trusting relationship with your mentee. From your very first meeting, this will be the long-term goal towards which you work.

·  Communicate with your mentee only through your specified school email account and in-person meetings. Refrain from phone calls, texts, instant messaging, Facebook, MySpace, etc. as they are not appropriate means of communication for the program.

·  Plan mentoring sessions a minimum of 3 times per month. You are expected to meet this requirement regularly, meeting for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time. These meetings must only occur on the EdCC campus (i.e., TRiO office, library, café, etc.) unless approved in advance by the Program Coordinator. Record all meetings in your mentee logs.

·  Adhere to all responsibilities listed on the Mentor Agreement form. This form provides more detailed objectives for your role. It is very important you reflect on those throughout your mentoring experience.

·  Maintain a strong academic standing. Mentors are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

·  Balance your needs and your responsibilities as a mentor and a student. Ultimately, your success as a student should always be your number one priority. Keeping a balance is key!

·  Take time to reflect. Mentor support group meetings will be held throughout the year and are there for your benefit and the overall growth of your mentoring relationships.

·  Participate and serve in a leadership role in at least one service-learning project per quarter. Work with your Program Coordinator to decide on your participation and leadership role in a service-learning project each quarter. The coordinator can provide information about different events going on around campus and in the community! This is a great way to spend time with your mentee!

Mentor Agreement

Mentor: ______(please print)

I understand my responsibilities are to focus on promoting the overall success of the student. I understand that failure to comply with the conditions of this agreement is grounds for termination from the mentoring program. I agree to the following conditions:

Initial Responsibilities

§  Complete first mentor training with Program Coordinator

§  Complete FERPA training

§  Review all paperwork in your mentor folder

§  Email your mentee and introduce yourself

§  Other work-related tasks as assigned

Daily Responsibilities

§  Build a trusting relationship with mentee(s)

§  Maintain confidentiality in working with mentee(s)

§  Be sensitive and respectful to the individual needs of mentee(s)

§  Model appropriate and effective behavior while mentoring

§  Listen, be patient and understanding while mentoring

§  Help facilitate goal-setting skills in mentoring sessions

§  Help create an academic plan (a specific guide will be provided according to mentee’s program)

§  Teach critical thinking and study skills

§  Provide students with knowledge of resources in TRiO and on campus

§  Keep an accurate record of all contact/sessions in monthly mentee log

§  Document when a mentee cancels a session or does not show

§  Keep track of trainings and extra-curricular activities attended on your mentor log (this will help you articulate your experiences and build your resume!)

§  Check your email daily & on a regular basis (this is a necessary method of communication!)

§  If you have any questions/concerns that need resolution, meet with Program Coordinator

§  Other work-related tasks as assigned

Quarterly Responsibilities

§  Read/Review the Mentor Training Manual

§  Submit completed mentor and mentee logs on the last day of every month/ last day of quarter

§  Attend all trainings (excellent professional development opportunities!)

§  Attend all mentor support group meetings (1 per month)

§  Commit to a regular mentoring schedule (minimum 3 sessions/month)

§  Participate and serve in a leadership role in at least one service-learning project/quarter

§  Maintain a strong academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA)

§  Balance life and your mentoring responsibilities

§  Other work-related tasks as assigned

I have read and understand the above responsibilities. I will abide by these guidelines, which will assist me in being a supportive and productive mentor. I will discuss any concerns I have with the Program Coordinator. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in termination.

Signature ______Date ______

Mentee Agreement

Mentee: ______(please print)

I understand my responsibilities are to focus on succeeding at Edmonds Community College with the support from my mentor. I agree to the following conditions:

Initial Responsibilities

§  Meet with the Program Coordinator (to review paperwork and discuss mentor match)

§  Receive email from mentor

§  Plan a mentoring session schedule with mentor (minimum 3x/month, 30 minutes/session)

Quarterly Goals

§  Build a trusting relationship with mentor

§  Attend scheduled mentoring sessions

§  Design your academic plan

§  Plan out short-term and long-term goals with mentor

§  Strengthen your student identity through participation in EdCC events.

§  Ask mentor to help you navigate through the college and gather resources

§  Participate in at least one service-learning project/quarter

§  Check your email daily & on a regular basis (this is a necessary method of communication!)

I have read and understand the above guidelines. I will abide by these guidelines, which will assist me in being a productive student. I will discuss any concerns I have with the Program Coordinator.

Signature ______Date ______

Confidentiality Agreement

Please read the following contract once through, then fill in the necessary blanks and sign and date the form. Thank you.

As part of my participation in the Make It Happen, TRiO Mentor Program,

I, ______(mentor), hereby enter into this agreement with

______(mentee) and as such agree to the following: I shall not, except as authorized by ______(mentee), at any time during or after the TRiO Mentor Program, disclose to any other person or entity any confidential or sensitive information which has come into my possession or knowledge during the course of the TRiO Mentor Program; nor shall I use any such confidential information for my personal use or advantage or make it available to others. I will not disclose or use, directly or indirectly, any confidential information (e.g., names, email addresses, students’ grades/academic standing, personal health information, financial information, life situation, etc.), or make such confidential information available to others for use in any way unless special circumstances apply (see next paragraph).

I, ______(mentor) understand and have discussed with ______(mentee) my duty to inform the Program Coordinator(s) of any situations where there is concern of harm to self or others. This is the only time when complete confidentially can be broken.

By my signing below I hereby acknowledge that I have read this agreement and agree to its terms.

______

Name of Mentee (Please Print) Name of Mentor (Please Print)

______

Signature Signature

______

Date Date

Confidentiality

·  As a mentor, you hold a very valuable role in your mentee’s life. It is crucial for you to act maturely, appropriately, and professionally during your mentoring sessions, other interactions (including post-mentoring) with your mentee, and when speaking on behalf of the program. This experience will be immeasurable and one you should be very proud of as you grow and work towards future goals of your own.

·  In order to establish trust and confidence in the mentoring relationship as a mentor, you need to understand the purpose of the confidentiality agreement and maintaining confidentiality between mentor and mentee. Recognize, you have signed and agreed to uphold the expectations for confidentiality while mentoring.

·  Confidential information may or may not include the following: names, email addresses, students’ grades/academic standing, personal health information, financial information, life situation, etc. Do not share the names of the other mentors, unless that particular mentor has said it is okay with them.

·  When speaking to other peers, friends or family, you may tell them you have a mentee, but never release the name of your mentee or other confidential information.

·  Try to avoid talking about private information through email. Kindly explain to the mentee that if they have a concern, you can plan to meet in person to discuss the concern. One should always be hesitant about what they write in an email. Your words can easily be misunderstood in an email and cause stress on the relationship (Sanft, McMurray, and Jensen 142-143).