LSIC Peer Mentoring

What is the LSIC Peer Mentor Program?

The Peer Mentor program places current successful UNC Asheville students in LSIC 179 and 379 courses. Peer Mentors show new students what it takes to succeed at UNC Asheville and present positive examples of academic integrity, academic success skills (time management, study skills, etc), responsible student decision-making, and balanced extra-curricular involvement.

How do students get to be mentors?

Students can apply to be mentors in 1of 3 ways:

1. An LSIC instructor identifies a student as a good match for them and their LSIC and encourages the student to apply.
2. A student identifies a particular LSIC class or instructor and approaches them to see if the instructor would like them to serve as their Peer Mentor.
3. A student expresses interest in the Peer Mentor program to the Program Coordinator, who contacts the LSIC faculty that don't already have a Peer Mentor and asks them to consider working with the interested student.

Can students mentor in a different LSIC than the one they took as a new student?

Students are welcome to Peer Mentor in classes they have not taken themselves. It will be up to you and your Peer Mentor to decide how in-depth their understanding of your LSIC topic should be.

Do Peer Mentors register for the LSIC they're working in?

No. Peer Mentors have already taken their LSIC, and students cannot get credit for more than 1 LSIC course. In addition, Peer Mentors would have to confront some difficult ethical questions if they were receiving academic credit for a course in which were also helping other students edit papers, study for exams, and design projects.

Do Peer Mentors get training?

Yes. Mentors will meet with staff from the Advising & Learning Support Office during the fall 2011semester to review fundamentals of peer leadership, important information about campus resources, academic policies, academic success skills, and scholarly information about the college student experience.  Mentors will also participate in exercises to improve their skills in peer mentoring and leadership and developing strong relationships with faculty and students.

How many hours a week do Peer Mentors work?

Peer Mentors should be able to devote about 5-7 hours/week to the experience. While the exact amount of time needed will depend on your agreement with your Peer Mentor, they should plan to spend (on average):

• 3 hrs/week in the LSIC course
• 1-2 hrs/week staying on top of the academic work in the LSIC course
• 1-2 hrs/week talking with students outside of class/planning extra-curricular activities/meeting with you, etc.
• Peer Mentors will also meet periodically throughout the spring semester with Advising & Learning Support Staff.

Some Peer Mentors spend much more time than this, but 5-7 hours/weeks is a good starting point.

What do Peer Mentors receive for compensation?

Peer Mentors receive a $350 stipend at the end of their experience, provided that they satisfactorily meet your expectations. In addition, they will receive copies of the LSIC textbooks for their use during the semester. The texts will need to be returned to the Program Coordinator at the conclusion of the semester.

Can students serve as Peer Mentors more than once?

Yes! A mentor's second experience can be with the same instructor as their first, or they can work with a different instructor.

What do LSIC Peer Mentors do?

• Work both in and out of the classroom to guide students through issues such as academic decision-making, time management, study skills, major exploration, campus issues, and adjustment difficulties
• Assist LSIC instructors in designing class activities and assignments
• Help facilitate in-class discussions
• Work with students experiencing difficulty in the LSIC course
• Organize extra-curricular social and academic activities
• Serve as an additional point of contact for students outside of class
• Set up peer editing or study sessions
• Refer students to appropriate university resources