‘Sometimes it’s easier to learn from someone on the same level as you’ Promoting Student Mentoring Anne Chirnside Acting Head of Wider Access Napier University

o undergraduates o 71% studying full time o 70% undergraduates are 21+ o 55% female o Around 30% of 3rd years are direct entrants o Around 60% of undergraduates are first generation Napier University

‘….starting university is mind blowing and I suppose if you have a strong outgoing personality it is easier to settle in and make friends, you know people you can sit with at breaks and talk about classes and stuff….’ 3 rd Year Social Science Student Transitions

Increasing Diversity Social Capital Alienation Isolation Cultural Capital Lack of confidence

Inclusive Targeted Centralised Localised Paid Unpaid Structured Unstructured Buddy Peer tutor Resourced Different models

‘My mentor is such a lovely person and has made me feel Napier. She has introduced me to researching journals on the database, given me ideas on how to study and general advice on how Napier works. Thanks.’ Inclusive Academic Semi-structured Funded by WAP Centralised Unpaid The Napier Model

Ambassadors o Student Identity o Belonging o Empowerment Guides Mentors Facilitators Focus groups Student Reps Students working with Napier

What’s the process? Promote Mentors Train Promote Mentees Match Follow along Conclude Evaluate

Promote o o Flyers o Specific groups o Staff o Events

Training the Mentors Aims Components Method Evaluation Support Encourage Share Refer Qualities Role Skills Boundaries Interactive

Matching Mentees with Mentors oEach mentee is met oGuidelines and expectations oCriteria for matching oSame subject area oNeeds expressed oSpecial requests oPersonal characteristics oOne to one or small groups

Analysing the data

Student Characteristics Mentor male and female Mentee male and female Mentor fee status Mentee fee status

Level of Study Mentor Mentee

Are we reaching all parts?

How often do they meet? Frequency of meeting Mentee 05/06 ‘It was more like a comfort blanket knowing that if I did need help she was always there for me.’

Impact - What do the stats tell us?

Impact - What do the students tell us? ‘I was about to quit Napier but my mentor made it easier to stay.’ ‘I am not sure how I would have managed without the support.’ ‘The facility of having someone with more experience helped me get through the sticky patches.’ ‘Having a mentor has encouraged me to keep going when one feels there is too much to do all at once.’ ‘Without my mentor’s reassurance I may have given up my studies.’ ‘If it wasn’t for my mentor I would have considered leaving as I would have continued to feel I didn’t fit in.’ ‘It’s an absolutely fantastic support to me and gives me confidence to keep going!!!!!’

What has being a mentor done for you? 74 questionnaires analysed Key themes: Feel good factor40 Transferable skills improved 24 Own academic skills boosted 12 Confidence increased 12 Confirmation of own expertise 11 CV enhancement 6 ‘Given me a warm fuzzy glow inside.’ ‘I feel I have been able to deepen my knowledge of the subject.’ ‘Showed me I actually know how to do the student stuff.’ ‘Hopefully I can transfer the experience to the workplace after graduating.’

86 questionnaires analysed Key themes: Confidence, reassurance, support 23 Learnt about university life 21 Learning from another student 18 Improved academic performance 5 Advice on study skills - Coursework 33 - Academic writing 21 - Exams 12 - Using resources 9 - Referencing 6 ‘It’s the best way to learn a lot about uni life.’ 91% of mentees said they would recommend the programme. What have you gained from having a mentor?

And the negatives? A few mentees said… oWaited too long for contact oDidn’t meet enough ‘ My mentor wasn’t really involved and had little time for me.’ A few mentors said… oMentee expectations were unrealistic oDifficulty arranging meetings. ‘Serious difficulties meeting because of timetable clashes, part- time jobs and family’

Further Development Resourcing Evidencing Presenting the Programme Reaching those who could benefit Appealing to young, especially males Removing stigma Programme Related Supply and demand Dysfunctional matches Unmatched mentors Unsuitable candidates What are the challenges?

What are the next steps? Next Steps Satellites, eg. postgraduates, L2 Reach young students Online mentoring Mentors in LIS Volunteering centre

Caroline Moffat for her enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to the Student Mentoring Programme, and help with this presentation. Justen Ross for his work on this PowerPoint presentation. The student mentors and mentees who have participated in Napier’s Mentoring Programme and whose input has been so valuable. Acknowledgements