Texas Lutheran University Peer Mentors: Not Your Average Orientation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Texas Lutheran University Peer Mentors: Not Your Average Orientation Leaders National Conference on Students In Transition Atlanta, Georgia October 2013

oday ’ s Discussion T  An overview of the history of the TLU First Y ear Experience course and its connection to the Peer Mentor Program  Who are the TLU Peer Mentors?  A description of the Peer Mentor recruitment and selection process  Classroom Experience and Bulldog Orientation (Training and Preparation)  Peer Mentor Duties and Responsibilities  Compass: TLU ’ s General Education Program  Assessments that keep the program going

T exas Lutheran University “TLU prepares undergraduates academically , spiritually , and socially in a residential community of faith and learning for service and leadership .”  Student faculty ratio: 14 to 1  Founded in 1891 in  Average class size: 18 Brenham, T exas  Moved from Brenham to  Mascot: Bulldogs Seguin, T exas in 1912  Colors: Black & Gold  35 miles east of San Antonio  14 Division III Varsity Sports and 50 miles south of Austin  33% Athletes  Hispanic Serving Institution  97% first year students live on  Full-time professors serve as campus academic advisors  60 Student Organizations  77 full-time faculty “ We ’ re more than a campus, we ’ re a community .”

History of the Texas Lutheran’s First Year Experience Course  We’ve come along way since 1986…  In 1986, a General Education curriculum change took place at then Texas Lutheran College and students were required to take GEC 134: Exploring the Arts and Sciences  Today, the course is called FREX 134: Exploring the Arts and Sciences  Issues that come along:  Students could take the course anytime during their four years  Hard to find instructors to teach the course And then came 2001- 2002…

History of the Texas Lutheran’s First Year Experience Course  In 2001-2002, under the leadership of Dr. John T. Masterson, former TLU provost, emphasis was placed on the First Year Experience  In 2004, the First Year Experience Committee was developed and the faculty voted to make the freshman experience course a requirement.  Peer mentors also became part of this package.  Peer Mentors would teach topics related to transitional issues while faculty would focus more on their discipline and area of expertise.

What is a TLU Peer Mentor? Peer Mentors assist first year students during orientation and throughout the first year with their personal and academic transition into the TLU community!!! Peer Mentors are passionate about TLU and have a genuine interest in helping students – inside and outside the classroom.

Benefits of Being a Peer Mentor  Offer an upperclassmen perspective  Help students become successful  Great way to meet new people  Share experiences and offer support  An opportunity to work closely with other students and TLU faculty members  Enhance public speaking and leadership skills (coordinating events, facilitating discussions, organizing study sessions, etc.)  Helps students gain an appreciation for diversity  Learn more about campus resources  Great resume builder!

Peer Mentor Incentives  $1000 = $500 Peer Mentor Grant awarded on the University financial aid award package for fall and spring semesters.  Peer Mentors also receive a bi-weekly stipend which is divided equally into 20 pay periods for fall and spring semesters.  Bi-weekly stipends vary based on your years on the team:  1 st year = $50  2 nd year = $60  3 rd year = $70  4 th year = $80 Contracts are subject to termination if a Peer Mentor does not fulfill duties and responsibilities outlined within the position.

Peer Mentor Selection Process  Peer Mentor recruitment takes place in the Spring Semester.  February  The Peer Mentors and Director of First Y ear & Campus Programs host information sessions – students must be present to receive an application  Application components:  Resume  Typed responses to the following:  Why are you interested in becoming a Peer Mentor and what will you bring to the position?  Share a memorable experience from your first year at TLU.  What issues do you think are relevant to first year students at TLU?  Why do you think the Peer Mentor program exists?  Describe your leadership style.  Recommendation letters from 2 faculty members  Any instructor of their choice  Their FREX 134 instructor  Department Verification:  GP A  Disciplinary actions

Peer Mentor Selection Process  March  Group interviews: students participate in a series of activities for current Peer Mentors and staff to see how they interact in groups and in certain situations.  Individual interviews: if a student does well in the group interview, they will be invited to have an individual interview.  For TLU ’ s 2014-2015 recruitment, all applicants will be notified via email on their selection the week before Spring Break.

Peer Mentor Selection Process  Do Veterans Have To Reapply?  Yes – current Peer Mentors have to reapply to return to the team.  Peer Mentors who wish to reapply to the team cannot participate in the group and individual interviews for new applicants. .

They’re Selected…Now What?  Spring Semester  Attend mandatory Welcome Orientation (April)  Attend SL3 New Member Orientation and Peer Mentor Summer Training (April)  SL3 stands for Student Life & Learning Leaders. The group consists of Student Government Association Senators, Peer Mentors, Resident Assistants, Tutors and Supplemental Instructor Leaders.  Summer Break  Connect with students on First Y ear Students page  Attend Peer Mentor Training (August – week before fall classes)  Participate in 2-Day Bulldog Orientation and Welcome Week

The First Y ear Students portal page is a great way to bond and get to know other 1 st year Bulldogs!

Students can get to know their FREX 134 Peer Mentor before Bulldog Orientation.

The personalized pages help the students learn a little more about our campus leaders!

Students also have a chance to bond and connect with all the Peer Mentors on the blog portlet!

In August, students receive a Bulldog Orientation postcard from the Peer Mentor T eam.

Summer Is Over …Peer Mentor Training Begins!  Peer Mentor training is held the week prior to the start of the fall semester.  Throughout the week, Peer Mentors focus on such topics as:  History of TLU and the Peer Mentor Program  Daily teambuilding icebreakers  It’s Just Lunch  Differences between high school vs. college and the shoulda, coulda, woulda ’ s  Classroom management  Group facilitation – communication is key among the 20  Campus resources  FREX 134 topics Mandatory FREX 134 T opics:  Differences Between High School vs. College  TLU T echnology  Time Management  Academic and Vocational Planning  Understanding the Purpose of Higher Education Optional FREX 134 T opics:  Diversity  Academic Policies and Resources  Health and Campus Safety  Helpful Study T echniques

Peer Mentor Training – “Special Presentation”  Wish each other the best as we embark on New Student Orientation and FREX 134

Summer Is Over …The Pups Are Coming!  In addition to preparing for the FREX 134 experience, Peer Mentors serve as orientation leaders.  For 2 days, Peer Mentors are responsible for:  Organizing teambuilding activities  Serving as ushers for the Matriculation Ceremony  Performing our Campus Issues Skit  T aking students on a Campus T our  Encouraging students to attend TLU Weeks of Welcome activities

Key Peer Mentor Duties and Responsibilities  Fall 2013  Assist faculty member in the FREX 134 course  T each a minimum of 5 lessons in the FREX 134 course  Attend monthly supervisor and staff meetings  Present information in monthly module meetings (August – November)  Organize 1 monthly activity and/or program for first year students  Be available for formal and informal interaction with students in the program (3-6 week checks, discuss performance and attendance in FREX 134 class, etc.)  Attend Leadership T eam Meetings  Spring 2014  Assist with spring orientation  Attend the First Year Welcome Back Dinner  Meet once a month with FREX 134 group  Organize 1 monthly activity and/or program for first year students  Assist with Major ’ s Fair promotion  Prepare end of the year activities for First Y ear Celebration

The Paw Print Activity Module  In Fall 2012, TLU made a few changes to the General Education curriculum and we welcomed Compass.

The Paw Print Activity Module  Activity Modules give students an opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained in class to activities outside the classroom and in the community.  First Semester at TLU the students taking FREX 134 enroll in the Paw Print Module  Meetings are once a month for one hour  This module helps students understand the General Education Curriculum (Compass) and create their Comprehensive Education Plan  Students have to take 4 modules before they graduate  Register for one module with each semester when they register for classes  Students are encouraged to complete all 4 modules by the end of the sophomore year

The Paw Print Module