Creating a Successful Peer Mentoring Program

October 6, 2015

Marcia Osman, Purdue University

Peer Counselors – May 2015

Creating a Successful Peer Mentoring Program

Agenda:BackgroundWhy Make the InvestmentHiring HintsTraining Suggestions for Success

Peer Counselors- May 2013

Background

The History of the Peer Program at PurdueMy Experience as a Peer CounselorCurrent Peer Program Requirements

Peer Counselors 2010

Why Make the Investment

Feeder system for youthful talentUtilize the student perspectiveHigh return on investment

Peers at Work

Current Peer Responsibilities• Counseling • Answering email• Outreach• Review student communication before distribution• Suggestions for improvement• Mentor new Peers• Compiling Weekly Top Ten Questions/Answers• Construct duty schedules• Special projects• And more!

Brainstorming During Year in Review

Hiring Hints

Recruiting great PeersSell them on the positionExpect them to bring their A-game to the interview

Email to Potential CandidatesThe Division of Financial Aid at Purdue University is looking for several outstanding students to fill Peer Counselor positions starting in May 2015. You have been selected for this recruitment based on your academic success. We are looking for individuals interested in working both full-time during the summer AND part-time during the academic year.  The Peer Counselor position is paraprofessional, requiring a high degree of responsibility and maturity. Five weeks of comprehensive, paid training is provided. Afterward, our Peers counsel students and parents regarding the financial aid application process, eligibility criteria, and the status of individual applications. This position is an excellent resume builder and the skills learned are highly transferable to many other professions. Some colleges within Purdue allow students to use their Peer Counselor experience to fulfill internship requirements.

Advertise the Position

Online Peer Counselor FAQThank you for your interest in the Division of Financial Aid Peer Counselor program at Purdue University in West Lafayette. Please read the Peer Counselor FAQ below for more information about the program, training, and job responsibilities. Applications will be accepted through mid-February. Interviews for these positions will be held throughout February and early-March. Selected applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule a personal interview.

Q – What kind of work do Peer Counselors perform?A – Financial aid counseling, naturally! Peers provide counseling over the phones, through email and eventually in-person. Peers also do some basic aid processing and outreach activities.

Q – What kind of skills does a Peer Counselor need?A – Good verbal and written communication skills are vital. Good customer service skills are also very important, but are not a pre-requisite. The training provided will help you build all these skills.

Q – What kind of training is provided?

Suggestions on Hiring and Retaining

InterviewingIntegrating them before day one

Peer-to-Peer Welcome Letter

Training

Initial trainingTransitioning from trainee to counselorOngoing training

Graduating Class – 2015

Peer Bowling – 2015

Suggestions for Success

Make expectations clear Set expectations highCelebrate successesLet them know that they are valued

Peer who Answers the Most E-mail

Answer all the e-mails!

2015

HSTE

Most Tech Savvy Peer

JGAD

2015

NPC Most Likely to Know the Answer

SKIP

20

15

Best team player

DORN2015

Peer Most Likely To Be In

Trouble

KKON

Challenges

Common challenges What we have doneWhat we are considering

Most Improved OPC

ATAN 2015

Top Peer Volunteer

HPIE

20

15

Did someone say project?!

Peer Best with Difficult Callers

JKUH & AKNO

“The scholarships are holistically awarded!”

2015

Most Valuable Peer

HS

TE

2015

Questions, feedback and discussionThank you for your participation and good luck!