How To Become a Successful Mentor

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How To Become a Successful Mentor

• Peer Mentor Pilot Program 2005-2006
  Training/Orientation Workshop

Asian American Center Northern Illinois
University www.niu.edu/aac
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Introduction

• Topics for Discussion
• The mission and goals of the mentoring program
• Responsibilities and expectations of mentors
• Ethics for mentoring
• Description of the mentor binder

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Agenda

• Icebreaker Activity
• Overview of Program
• Mentoring Components
• Pre-Assessment
• Photos

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Overview

• Through this training, we expect to provide the
  mentor with guidance in becoming a great leader.
  In return, the mentor will be able to provide
  guidance and attention to new students as they
  make their transition from high school to
  college.

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Vocabulary

• Who is a Mentor ?
• A Mentor is someone who has been there, done
  that, learned from the experience, and is willing
  to share.
• A Mentor is someone who helps other people
  (protégés) to reach their full potential.
• The emphasis is always on enabling and
  empowering protégés to do things for themselves.

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Qualities of a Mentor

• A good listener
• Genuinely interested
• Reliable
• Responsible
• Responsive
• A guide
• A trusted friend

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Benefits of Mentoring

• Mentoring is an inspiring, creative, and
  motivating experience, which aids the personal
  development of both the mentor and protégé.
• Being a mentor offers you the opportunity to
• Help others achieve their goals
• Develop coaching skills
• Acquire a new perspective
• Develop skills in others

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Qualities of a Good Mentor

• Available - Commits to spending time with protégé
• Patient - Respects the differences between
  himself/herself and the protégé
• Knowledgeable - Familiar with the resources
  available on campus and how the protégé can
  benefit from them
• Confidant - Reliable, self-assured, and
  conscientious when interacting with the protégé.
• A Good Listener - Speaks less, listens more, and
  carefully considers the needs of the protégé.
• Inspiration - Sees the possibilities by bringing
  to life the qualities we aspire for ourselves

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Vocabulary

• Who is a Protégé ?
• A Protégé is a new first-year or transfer student
  who decides to obtain extra personal and academic
  assistance from an experienced upper-class
  student.
• Sometimes new students find it helpful to sit
  down and talk to someone who has been down the
  same path and can share their successes and
  struggles.

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Benefits of having a Mentor

• Peer support
• Academic support
• Leadership opportunities
• Guidance
• Interaction with new people
• Social opportunities
• Personal growth development

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Objectives of Mentoring

• To help improve a students self-esteem and
  confidence
• To provide opportunities to develop positive
  relationships
• To reduce the drop-out rate and increase
  retention in school
• To create an avenue for allowing people in the
  community or in the school to further assist in
  education
• To recognize the potential in all students
• To allow students to look beyond their present
  condition and envision a promising future

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Responsibilities and Expectations

• Mentors will be expected to attend monthly
  meetings
• Mentors must maintain weekly communication with
  their assigned protégé.
• Mentors must attend mentoring program activities
  and invite their protégés to attend as well.

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Confidentiality

• Care needs to be taken to observe the rights of
  other students privacy
• A mentor is cautious about when and where he/she
  gains peer or supervisory support
• A mentor does not talk to other students about
  the progress of his/her protégé without the
  protégés permission.
• A mentor understands the importance of his/her
  role with the protégé and therefore respects the
  boundaries of confidentiality.

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Ethics for Mentoring

• If a student talks about grades, what do you do
  with that information ?
• What would you do if you knew a student was
  cheating ?
• What would you do if a student was breaking the
  law ?

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Competency

• You are a student who knows what its like to
  face similar frustrations and personal growth
  that comes from the college experience. You have
  knowledge of programs and services at NIU. When
  appropriate, refer your protégé to these
  services.
• However, do not try to answer questions to which
  you do not know the answers.
• Dont be afraid to say I dont know, but Ill
  get back to you with that information.

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Consultation and Supervision

• When you have questions or concerns about your
  protégé or about your performance, consult with
  the Peer Mentor Program coordinator.
• It is a good idea to take notes on your protégé,
  so you will remember concerns you need to discuss
  at upcoming mentor meetings.
• If you are ever in doubt as to what to do in a
  particular situation, you should always contact
  the peer mentor program coordinator.

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Description of Mentor Binder

• Mentor and Protégé Information
• Mentor/Protégé Contract
• Weekly Activity / Communication Report
• Record of General Communication
• Additional Resources

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Questions ??Comments !!