How To Thrive And Not Just Survive

Transcription

1 How To Thrive And Not Just Survive Using Peer Mentors To Help First-Year Students Transition From High School To College Life Using one paid adviser and 130 to 140 sophomores, juniors, and seniors, to help over 900 first-year students with their transition from high school to college life. This program structure helps create leaders, encourage communication, and offer opportunities to serve the Smeal College of Business Community. Devon M. Thomas, Academic Adviser

2 Adviser President Team Leader 15 Mentors Vice President Team Leader 15 Mentors Training and Recruitment/Treasurer Team Leader 15 Mentors Events Coordinator Team Leader 15 Mentors Marketing/Communications Team Leader 15 Mentors Technology Chair Team Leader 15 Mentors * THON Chair Team Leader 15 Mentors

3 1 Adviser works with 7 Student Board of Directors who oversee 7 Team Leaders who each oversee 15 Mentors The Adviser o The Adviser is appointed by the Smeal Undergraduate Education office and is an academic adviser within Smeal. o The Adviser meets with the President on a weekly basis to plan Board of Directors meetings and communication information from the Advising Office o In conjunction with the Board of Directors the adviser coordinates activities and events to help facilitate the relationships between First-Year Students and Mentors. o The Adviser consults on all event planning, recruitment, and training; while mentoring the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors: o The Board of Directors works directly with the adviser on a weekly basis o With the exception of * THON chair, the Board of Directors applications and interviews are in mid November, followed by transition meetings during late November and early December. o The * THON chair interview takes place in early April to allow for training and transition by the end of the spring semester. o Board of Directors members may create committees and liaison positions as they see fit to help them in their duties within the organization o The Board of Directors Positions are as follows: President Oversees organization Conducts weekly Board of Directors meeting and composes corresponding agendas Works closely with the Undergraduate Education Office through the adviser Meets weekly with adviser Weekly updates to Mentors Listserv Oversees Fundraising events Vice President Manages membership attendance Manages Team competition points First-Year Seminar coordination duties o Liaison to Smeal Departments o Plans and coordinates First-Year Seminar Visits o Coordinates Majors Panels Event Performs Presidential duties if the president is unable to do so

4 Training and Recruitment Director/Treasurer Composes Mentor, Team Leader, and Board of Directors applications, interview questions, and coordinates respective interview processes Organizes Mentor and Team Leader training material with adviser Coordinates recruiting events such as Smeal Involvement Fair and Big Event Collection of Dues Maintains ASA account and the organization s budget Events Coordinator Organizes most events o Snack and Schedule o Parent and Family Weekend o BIG EVENT Coordinates logistics for Mentor Team Building Coordinates logistics for Mentors Socials (Hayride, IM Sports, Dinners) Marketing and Communications Director Monitors Smeal Student Mentors Brand Mentors t-shirt design and order Mentor polo design and order Composes marketing materials for Mentor events Coordinates recruitment materials with Training and Recruitment Chair Represents Mentors at the Smeal Business Round Table monthly meetings Coordinates and Edits the Monthly Mentor newsletter Technology Communications Director Maintains Mentor Website Manages Mentor Gmail account Prepares monthly meeting PowerPoint presentations Prepares first-year student survey through Google Docs Prepares event sign ups and other internal surveys through Google Docs

5 *THON Chair Organize all fundraising efforts for Penn State s * THON on behalf of Mentors o Distribute THONvelopes to members o Turn in all monetary donations to * THON o Organize canning trips by recruiting hosts, drivers, and canners o Coordinate alternative fundraisers and recruit member participation Collaborate with Marketing and Communications Director to design a * THON t-shirt for organization purchase and use Determine criteria/process for selecting dancers and executing that process Track Mentors participation in * THON events Responsible for supporting dancers throughout * THON weekend (Coordinate visitation times for family members, manage pass list, inspire dancers) Team Leader o The Team Leaders are a selected group of Mentors that are chosen to be responsible for their team of Mentors. They meet with the Board of Directors once a month outside of the General Membership Meetings. o Team Leader applications and interviews are in the middle of January followed by training in February and early March. o Team Leaders pick a color to bring team spirit and autonomy to their part of the organization. Color shirts are purchased and worn at all fall events Mentors o The Mentors are a chosen group of students, sophomore year through senior year, responsible for meeting with First-Year Students to help with the transition from high school to college. o Mentors must apply and be interviewed to be selected for the organization. The interview process allows the organization to get a better idea of who the student is, and it also makes sure that the students interviewing are fully committed to being a Mentor. o Applications and interviews are during early March. o In early August, Mentors are each assigned approximately 10 First Year Student Mentees. o First Year Students and Mentor organizational activities have a point value associated with each event. Mentors must earn a minimum point value for participation during the spring and fall semesters to be eligible for continuation within the organization. o Mentor Teams earn points for involvement in team building activities

6 International Meet and Game Night Events Mentor Sponsored Objective of the event is to introduce Smeal International Students to one another, welcome them to Smeal before the potential 900+ first-year students gather on Sunday for the College Meeting, and begin rapport building amongst this cohort. First-Year International Students, Mentors, and various staff from Undergraduate Education and Smeal Office of International Programs participate in get-to-know you games, share snacks, and mingle. In 2012 seventy seven international students were served. Fall College Orientation (co-sponsored with Undergraduate Programs) This event is intended to inform First-Year Students of basic services and expectations within Smeal College of Business and to foster rapport between First-Year Students and their Upperclassman Mentors. First Year Students begin with a presentation in Eisenhower Auditorium by Advising Staff, the Dean, and Associate Dean. Following the presentation, First-Year Students attend information sessions with their academic advisers. Following the information sessions, First-Year Students are encouraged to spend time with their Student Mentors. In 2012 eight hundred fifty five first-year students were served. Fall Welcome BBQ This event is intended to create a relaxed setting so first-year students feel comfortable getting to know upperclassman and ask for advice relating to Smeal and Penn State in general. As Mentors and First-Year Students spend time building rapport, first year students are also getting to know other first-year students. In 2012 two hundred ninety six first-year students were served. Snack and Schedule This event is for Mentors to answer any questions first-year students may have regarding classes, professors, etc. Anything other than suggesting general education classes are referred back to advisers. First-year students come away from this event knowing how to use the registration system, utilize various tools to help with their schedule plans, a list of interesting General Education credits to enhance their curriculum, and to know their specific date to schedule. In 2012 one hundred first-year students were served. Phone-a-Thon Mentors call students who have been accepted to the Smeal College of Business. The goal of this event is to answer any questions or provide suitable resources to prospective students and/or parents about Smeal or Penn State. In 2012 two thousand five hundred thirteen phone calls were made.

7 Seminar Visits (First-Year Seminar) Mentor Supported Event (Sponsored by in parenthesis) This event is designed to give the first-year business students advice from an upperclassman s perspective. The goal of the presentation is to be engaging and informative. Two mentors attend each session and use the PowerPoint to share involvement and learning strategies. The mentors are encouraged to add their own insight for each category. This is an opportunity for the first-year students to ask questions and learn from the mentors. In 2012 over six hundred twenty five first-year students were served. Majors Panels (First-Year Seminar) The main goal of the event is to assist the first-year students in completing their major project for the first-year seminar class. It is also a great way to connect the mentors to first-year students and allow first year students to ask upper classman questions about their potential majors. In 2012 four hundred ninety one first-year students were served. Parents and Family Weekend (Undergraduate Programs) The Mentors are responsible for assisting the Advising staff in any way necessary. The goal of this event is to welcome over 600 parents and family members to the Smeal College of Business. Various activities and events are planned, including (but are not limited to): tours of the Business Building, presentations in the Trading Room, Supply Chain Simulation, and Study Abroad presentations. Information tables for all Smeal majors, Academic Advising, Alumni Relations, Career & Corporate Connections, Diversity, Educational Leadership, International Programs, and the Sapphire Leadership Program are also available. In 2012 over six hundred students and family members were served. BIG Event (Undergraduate Programs) It is an event where first and second year students can talk to representatives from business related student organizations, learn about majors by listening to faculty presentations, and talk to representatives of various offices from around campus. In 2013 over twelve hundred students were served. Accepted Student Programs (Undergraduate Programs) The Accepted Student Program guides students and parents through various majors, activities, and other programs available at Penn State in a more personal way. Newly accepted high school seniors that are interested in Smeal are invited to attend one of the sessions to help them decide if Penn State is the school they wish to attend. The Smeal Student Mentors represent Smeal for the Accepted Students Program during five visit sessions to the University Park campus. The Mentors work with several other organizations in a morning discussion panel where they answer questions. The Mentors also attend lunch to have a more informal interaction with the accepted students and their families.

8 November, Board of Directors Interviews August through October, Ongoing Mentor Training and First-Year Student Events December/January, Board of Directors Transition and Training Administrative Cycle April/May, Mentor Training and Team Building February, Team Leader Interviews and Training March, Mentor Interviews

9 February, Phone a Thon calling accepted students October, Snack and Schedule to help find classes a few weeks before registration opens February through April, Accepted Students Programs meeting accepted students face to face during campus events Events Cycle August through December, Individual meetings, s, montly newsletters about on campus events August, International Student Welcome August, Fall College Meeting