Delistathi, C. and Sum, K. 2022. Values and principles underpinning a Foundation Mentoring Scheme. Change Agents Network (CAN) conference. University College London, UK 11 - 13 May 2022
| Title | Values and principles underpinning a Foundation Mentoring Scheme |
|---|---|
| Authors | Delistathi, C. and Sum, K. |
| Type | Conference paper |
| Abstract | Connectedness with the university is a known element in student academic success (Yomtov et al., 2015, p. 26). Mentoring schemes are an established mechanism of creating such emotions (Sanchez et al., 2006), fostering a sense of community between students and a university, and forming partnerships between peers, and students and staff, to support changes due to transition to higher education (HE). Although discussions about such schemes often involve evaluation of their efficacy in relation to student outcomes (Carragher and McGaughey, 2016; Hamilton et al., 2019), our paper aims at reviewing the values and principles we applied during the planning stage and the day-to-day scheme management. Values and principles articulate what is important to a scheme, set expectations and guide behaviours; thus, their exploration helps us understand how they mould its vision, organisation, and the actions of its participants. Having started in the 2021/22 academic year as a pilot, our year-long Foundation Mentoring Scheme provides non-directive learning and support to new foundation students. Mentors (former foundation students) share their experience of study with their mentees (current foundation students). The scheme’s purpose is to encourage community creation and connectedness with the university amongst both groups and to support mentees adjusting to HE. We are committed to social justice, collaborative learning from a students-as-partners perspective, and to valuing student knowledge and experience. These values have shaped our decisions, responses, and processes, and have helped us navigate our relationships with student and staff participants and our reactions to the challenges and joys we experienced while running the scheme. We believe that examining our values and principles can make us more reflective and, hopefully, more effective practitioners. |
| Keywords | peer to peer mentoring scheme, foundation students, belonging, transition to higher education, social justice in mentoring |
| Year | 2022 |
| Conference | Change Agents Network (CAN) conference |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 2022 |