The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of peer mentors who served in a mentor role for students with intellectual disabilities in a university-level educational program. The study used face-to-face interviews with eleven general-population students who had worked at least one semester as a peer mentor with students with intellectual disabilities. The interview transcripts and participant characteristics formed the study data. The qualitative transcript data was analyzed using the constant comparative method of joint coding and analysis.
Peer Support/Mentoring
In this Think College Story, a peer mentor at Vanderbilt University describes her experience mentoring students in the Next Steps program.
Project
National Coordinating Center
A mentor handbook from Camden County College, Garden State Pathways Program.
A basic guide for peer mentors who are providing student support on campus and in the classroom.
Includes a description of the two day orientation for mentors at the University of Vermont.
Think College Insight Brief #21 focuses on peer mentoring, where current students are matched with new students, and the significant impact it can have on the transition occurs. Many colleges that have programs for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) use peer mentoring extensively because of its many benefits. In South Carolina, the College of Charleston (C of C) uses peer mentoring as a fundamental component of its REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) Program for students with ID.
Project
National Coordinating Center
Think College Insight Brief #4 provides an overview of the supported education model and some of the challenges associated with using educational coaches in college. Explains how to use the Student/Coach Agreement Form.
Project
National Coordinating Center
Guide created by Dr. Missy Jones of Northern Kentucky University that is used at that university to train peer mentors. Includes information about getting started, and responsibilities of mentors and mentees. Emphasizes the importance of developing an equal power relationship between mentors and mentees, and the positive reciprocal relationship that develops.
Brief article chronicles the use of peer mentors at the College of New Jersey's College and Community Studies Program.
This chart can be used by a student and their educational coach to decide areas where students will need help, and what type of support an educational coach can provide for each area of need.