Just How Effective is Our Peer Mentoring Program? Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs) July 11th 2017, Sheffield, UK Bryan Gilroy Assistant Provost Zayed University, UAE

Overview of Peer Assistance Leaders Program (PALs) Vision Statement: To be a highly trusted, friendly, and sought after peer resource helping students find answers. PALs – Peer Assistance Leaders Talented students with no way to contribute; Centrally organized program established in 2011; There are currently 95 PALs; GPA of 3.0 and successfully complete training program; Paid a small hourly stipend; Have a variety of roles – PALS, A-PALs, C-PALs, H-PALs, R-PALs, V, PALs; Created e-badges (first in the university); Since 2014 have graduated 300 students.

Program Goals: To enable students to take advantage of the knowledge/experience of Senior students; To provide a positive environment where students from all departments can mix; To create a team of highly skilled, highly regarded and motivated student leaders; To increase student retention (ultimate goal);

Why Undertake a Program of Research? Politically a good thing to do: Research funding available; Need to keep reinventing the program. A new area of research: Not done in ZU or the GCC area; Seized the opportunity; Opportunity for students; PALs is an effective Program – is it? Only anecdotal evidence available; Data driven decision making is necessary.

Research Findings A vast amount of data was generated; Preferred Language of tutorial session – (see slide ); Impact of PALs (see slide); There are improvements to be made (see slide); Males want faculty support but females want peer support; Faculty are supportive - but not all; Not all faculty know about the PALs program (see slide).

Language preferred to be taught in DXB AUH

Program impact on students from PALs opinion We tutor in a simpler way than the professor Assist them step by step Language barrier Improve Grades Share experiences Why do students come to PALs :

Areas to improve Having summer pals (DXB- 1) Students don’t show up (AUH- 1) Mechanism of evaluation (AUH -1 )

Why do you think faculty are not aware of PALs?

Further Action: Need to strengthen our marketing; Build a closer relationship with faculty;

THANK YOU Peer to Peer symposium Last but not least (Registration free) Dubai, UAE November 8th – 9th , 2017 THANK YOU