Peer Mentoring: Benefits to First-Time College Students and Their Peer Mentors

Authors

  • Brianne T. Dixon University of Northern Colorado
  • Oluwagbenga Agboola University of Northern Colorado
  • Alexis Hauck University of Northern Colorado
  • Matthew Argento University of Northern Colorado
  • Chelsea Miller University of Northern Colorado
  • Angela L. Vaughan University of Northern Colorado

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i2.5816

Keywords:

higher education, peer mentoring, first-year seminars, retention, student achievement, professional development, peer mentor programs

Abstract

The experiences of first-year, first-time college students are impacted by a variety of challenges that pose a threat to student success and retention. One intervention universities are implementing to address these challenges are peer mentorship programs. While the benefits to first-time students of peer mentorship programs are well-researched, there is a lack of research on the benefits for mentors themselves. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived and demonstrable benefits for peer mentors working within a first-year seminar. This mixed-methods study assessed both first-time student achievement outcomes (i.e., first-term GPA and one-year persistence; N = 7,154) as well as the professional and personal development benefits of peer mentors (n = 52). Results showed first-time students who participated in the peer mentor program had significantly higher student achievement and peer mentors themselves had increased academic self-efficacy, improved communication, leadership, and interpersonal presence, and strengthened social and professional networks.

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Published

2023-02-07

How to Cite

Dixon, B. T., Agboola, O., Hauck, A., Argento, M., Miller, C., & Vaughan, A. L. (2023). Peer Mentoring: Benefits to First-Time College Students and Their Peer Mentors. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v23i2.5816

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Section

Articles