MELT Peer Mentoring Program

• The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion will recruit students to participate in the MELT at New Student Orientation sessions, the Multicultural Welcome Celebration, the Student Involvement Fair, through the Center webpage, and in-person/online methods (email, social media, etc.).
• MELT will foster a caring mentoring partnership between current students and incoming students; particularly students who are first in their immediate families to go to college, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and other historically underrepresented students.
• MELT will train peer mentors at the beginning of every fall and spring semester.
• MELT will host monthly group socials every fall and spring semester.
• The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion will recruit peer mentors in the spring semester using their webpage and in-person/online methods (email, social media, etc.).

• Participants in the Peer Mentoring Program will list and describe their points of individual contact using the Monthly Contact Reports (knowledge and comprehensive cognitive learning).
• Mentees will evaluate peer mentors at the end of each semester using the Peer Mentor Evaluation Tool (evaluation cognitive learning).
• The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion will assess the Peer Mentoring Program using the Monthly Contact Reports and Peer Mentor Evaluations (evaluation cognitive learning).

The development and implementation of the MELT is aligned with the University’s Learning Goals of Character and Leadership. Moreover, MELT is linked to the University’s Strategic Plan Initiatives of (1) Academic Excellence: Student Thriving and (2) Faith that Does Justice: Inclusive Excellence Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.

Mentee Registration for the 2024-25 school year is always open. Please contact Angela Aviquivil at aaviquivil@jcu.edu if you are interested in applying. 

Who can be a mentee?

Any incoming first-year students can participate in the Peer Mentoring Program as “mentees.” Particular focus is made to recruit mentees who are first in their immediate families to go to college, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and other historically underrepresented students. If you have any more questions, please visit the CSDI Office on the 2nd Floor of the Lombardo Student Center.

What is a mentee?

A mentee can be any incoming student who believes that they could benefit from a mentoring relationship.

Mentees might want support in developing the necessary confidence needed to transition from high school to college. Mentees can also be students seeking peers to help them explore, develop, and reinforce their cultural identity development through one-on-one meetings, campus lectures, cultural student organizations, etc. Lastly, mentees might also be students needing a peer to help them explore choices and decisions like major and minor options; on-campus employment; recreation; internships; careers; student organizations; student leadership; and service-learning opportunities.

When does participation in the program happen?

MELT is year-round.

Recruitment for mentees takes place at New Student Orientation, at the Multicultural Welcome Celebration, and the Involvement Fair.

Where does participation in the program happen?

Mentees and their peer mentors are required to brainstorm, negotiate, and agree to the best dates, times, and manners to meet (i.e. in-person, phone, text, etc.) with their mentees during the fall and spring semester.

Why become a mentee?

New students benefit from participating in the Peer Mentoring Program in the following ways: improved grades from study tables; decreased probability of academic probation; reduced attrition; making important first connections on campus; bridging from parents to independence; access to peer advice; and gaining positive role models across a span of years.

Who can be a peer mentor?

Current sophomore, junior, or senior students who participate are known as “peer mentors.” Peer mentors become part of the program by applying online and completing an interview process. Peer mentors are trained to take on the responsibility of assisting incoming first-year students in their growth and development by providing academic and personal support. Interested students can review the full job description by clicking here.

What is a peer mentor?

The Peer Mentor serves in a part-time, nine-month position and reports to the Director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. Peer mentors engage in direct contact with historically underrepresented students in order for them to become successful and fully engaged in all aspects of their educational experiences at John Carroll University. Moreover, peer mentors contribute to the advancement of first-year students by aiding in their academic, emotional, social adjustment, and personal development.

What are the peer mentor learning goals?

Peer mentors will be able to:

• Practice helping skills to help mentees develop confidence and positive attitudes about learning.
• Show respect and involve mentees in decisions about their education and learning process.
• Show support and praise mentees for their efforts rather than criticizing them.
• Interpret and seek to understand the psychological, emotional, and physical problems that may cause historically underrepresented students to have difficulty at John Carroll.
• Employ the cultural identity development of mentees by encouraging participation in campus events, lectures, workshops, etc.

Why become a peer mentor?

Peer mentors benefit from the intrinsic value that comes from helping others. They make a personal connection with new students to overcome practical considerations that faculty and staff cannot meet when connecting with every student. Peer mentors also create cross-level connections across the student body, which can be durable and long-lasting. Lastly, peer mentors establish relationships between new students, faculty, and staff that are oriented towards personal and academic development, without the pressure of being graded.

Participation as a peer mentor in MELT becomes an attractive résumé highlight, demonstrating development and growth in leadership, communication, and crisis intervention skills. Moreover, peer mentors enjoy the fringe benefits of para-professional experience in the field of higher education and student affairs services; free training in specialized areas in the field of higher education and student affairs services; increased understanding and appreciation of different values and lifestyles; and increased skill in creative problem solving.