MSA Peer Mentorship Program
The Peer Mentor Program is an initiative launched by the MSA department at Central Michigan University (CMU) to provide targeted support specifically for MSA students across all concentrations. The program is designed to offer peer-to-peer guidance, ensuring that MSA students have access to resources and assistance throughout their academic journey at CMU.
Whether students need help with writing assignments, brainstorming ideas, understanding course requirements, or seeking other forms of academic support, the Peer Mentor Program connects them with experienced peers who can offer valuable insights and guidance. By fostering a network of support, this initiative aims to enhance the academic success of MSA students and help them thrive during their time at CMU.
Program objectives
The program aims to enhance academic achievement, foster a feeling of community, offer personalized mentoring, and support leadership and personal development in both mentors and mentees.
The objective of the Peer Mentor Program is to offer MSA students complete support to increase student retention and engagement. By providing individualized support, MSA department aims at fostering a sense of community and promote personal growth and development so our diverse student population can succeed academically and professionally.
- Enhance Academic Success
- Foster a Sense of Community
- Provide Individualized Support
- Promote Personal Growth and Development
- Increase Student Retention and Engagement
- Encourage Peer Leadership
Mentor responsibility
Each mentor has been assigned with their dedicated mentees, he needs to ensure that he is providing full support to his mentees in terms of academic as well as professional development. It starts with sending an introduction email to mentees that I will be your mentor and asking them to book an appointment with the mentors using the meeting link. If the mentees does not book the appointment, the mentors takes the initiatives and book the appointments in the next week on behalf of the mentees, even after that if the mentee does not turn up the mentor involve the MSA management to pitch in as meeting with the MSA Peer Mentors is a necessary / mandatory step that needs to be taken by all the MSA students. MSA mentor does not have to mere ask the mentee whether he is clear with everything or does only need to give guidance with academic writing / blackboard navigation // discussion boards but also need to ensure that the knowledge mentees has. Validate if the knowledge is correct by checking their assignments and correcting them wherever needed. Again Peer Mentors need to be in coordination with the professors and provide you extra assistance to students who are struggling with the course, they need to involve into one-on-one meeting with the student and ensure that the student is able to perform.
It all started with the position, the position first came up for the peer mentor. Students who are in their 2nd or later semesters are eligible to apply for these positions. 1st semester students are not eligible to apply for. After the position got released, applications started coming up for the position, screening happened for the applications, after screening face to face virtual interviews happened with the shortlisted applicants. After virtual interviews, the further shortlisted applicants were asked to come for the final writing test and then the results were announced.