Peer leaders, or mentors, in higher education was chosen by the author due to past experience working with the first-year students. The author has served as a Peer Mentor for two years, a Peer Academic Advisor in Residence in a hall with multiple living learning communities, and an Resident Assistant working in an “Exploring” Living-Learning Community. Working closely with first-year students over the course of three years has allowed the author to see the benefits of having peer mentors aiding in the development of students. Due to the holding the positions of a Peer Academic Advisor in Residence and Resident Assistant, the authors feels passionate about how peer leaders within Residence Life impacts the students they serve.
Peer Mentor in …show more content…
A mentor can come in many diverse forms; however, students often find mentorship with peers in leadership roles. The importance and need for mentors in a university setting has been augmented in recent years. There has been a large push for student success programs to be implemented within the university system. Universities have been strident in implementing programs to help students develop throughout the campus; however student programs are gaining a lot of attention within Residence Life. Throughout this research paper, one will find evidence on the successful influence peer mentors have on students within Residence Life.
Living Learning Communities have been implemented within residential living to give students a support system within their education. At the University of Northern Iowa, Residence Life has music, biology, education, business, springboard and exploring Living Learning Communities. The benefits of having these communities are connecting students with similar interests. Within these communities, students live within the same house or wing of a building. The Resident Assistant connects with faculty and Peer Advisors to help students develop within their desired …show more content…
Gradually as the academic year progresses, students start to depend on not only their RA but each other. Students often go through many of the core courses together, ultimately allowing students to study, motivate, and cheer each other on. Within the article A Culture of Learning: Inside a Living-Learning Community the authors state, “...extra efforts can help to demonstrate a prospective student’s level of motivation and interest in living in the LLC, as well as his or her level of congruence with the community” (pg. 17). As students become connected to one another, they start to serve as mentors toward each other. The Resident Assistant is still of use within the community; however, the connection the students have with each other, allows them to move past the “freedom” stage and into working with others to benefit the
Peer Mentor in …show more content…
A mentor can come in many diverse forms; however, students often find mentorship with peers in leadership roles. The importance and need for mentors in a university setting has been augmented in recent years. There has been a large push for student success programs to be implemented within the university system. Universities have been strident in implementing programs to help students develop throughout the campus; however student programs are gaining a lot of attention within Residence Life. Throughout this research paper, one will find evidence on the successful influence peer mentors have on students within Residence Life.
Living Learning Communities have been implemented within residential living to give students a support system within their education. At the University of Northern Iowa, Residence Life has music, biology, education, business, springboard and exploring Living Learning Communities. The benefits of having these communities are connecting students with similar interests. Within these communities, students live within the same house or wing of a building. The Resident Assistant connects with faculty and Peer Advisors to help students develop within their desired …show more content…
Gradually as the academic year progresses, students start to depend on not only their RA but each other. Students often go through many of the core courses together, ultimately allowing students to study, motivate, and cheer each other on. Within the article A Culture of Learning: Inside a Living-Learning Community the authors state, “...extra efforts can help to demonstrate a prospective student’s level of motivation and interest in living in the LLC, as well as his or her level of congruence with the community” (pg. 17). As students become connected to one another, they start to serve as mentors toward each other. The Resident Assistant is still of use within the community; however, the connection the students have with each other, allows them to move past the “freedom” stage and into working with others to benefit the