Peer Mentoring
Whether you’re a freshman, a senior, or somewhere in between, knowing someone has your back is a good feeling! So take advantage of the support offered by your LEAD peers and actively participate in the LEAD Peer Mentorship program.
How does it work?
All freshmen are automatically matched with an upperclassman for their first year, and that relationship continues throughout their years at Michigan. Sophomores and above can continue to participate as a mentor to a freshman and, of course, as a mentee to the scholar who was their first-year mentor.
The LEAD Advisory Board is planning several events just for mentor/mentee pairs (like mentor/mentee bowling). These will be awesome opportunities for you to further your mentoring relationship, and, most times, they’re free! Don’t forget, just attending any LEAD event together can be fun. Plus, watch for opportunities to bring your mentor or mentee to LEAD events for a chance to win fun giveaways for both of you.
Bringing Out the Leaders and Best in Mentors
Here are some things to help make this your best mentor/mentee year ever:
Mentors
- Show initiative with your mentee; get in contact with them as soon as you are matched
- Share both your academic and professional experiences, such as your daily routine, personal hobbies, work life, etc.
- Discuss the expectations for the year. Are you both on the same page in what you want to get out of this mentorship? How often do you want to meet? What activities would you like to do together? Who coordinates the activities?
- Explain your limitations and when you are most available
- Find common ground; find out interests that you both share
- Introduce mentee to the campus/Ann Arbor community
Mentees
- Contact your mentor as soon as you are matched
- Share what you are excited and concerned about coming to U-M; ask peer mentor to share their stories.
- Discuss expectations to ensure both are in agreement on what both want
- Find common ground; find interests that you both share
Introduce yourself and share some information, such as where you’re from, what brought you to the University, what you’re studying, etc. Answer any questions your mentee may have. To continue the conversation and get to know each other, here are some sample questions you could ask:
- Where are you from?
- What did you do over the summer?
- What made you decide to choose Michigan?
- Do you have any nicknames you prefer to use?
- What kind of music do you listen to?
- What’s your favorite movie or tv show?
- What aspect of college are you most excited about? Concerned about?
- What kind of activities would you like to do?
Here is a basic outline to keep mentors and mentees on track and communicating:
August/September
- Mentors and mentees meet for the first time
- Attend a Welcome Week activity
- Attend at least one LEAD event
- Give your mentee a tour of campus, Ann Arbor
Monthly Duties
- Plan to meet at least once a month
- Go to LEAD events together and/or plan activities to do together on your own
- Around mid-terms and exam times, mentees may be stressed; give them some tips or resources to help (contact may slow but still try to keep in touch)
April
- As the year wraps up, look back and discuss the past year
- Give the LEAD program your feedback on the mentorship program
Monthly Email
The LEAD Staff will send out a reminder every second Friday of the month to remind mentors and their mentees to touch base with each other.
LEAD Newsletter
In the monthly LEAD newsletters, we will feature reminders and spotlight activities mentors and mentees might be interested in attending. Remember to take pictures of your mentor/mentee activities and we’ll include them periodically in our newsletter.
Mid-Year Check-In
At the end of the fall semester, in late December after final exams are all done, a survey will be sent out to all of the mentors and mentees asking them to reflect and evaluate the relationship of you and your mentor/mentee so far.
End of the Year Evaluation
In April, an evaluation will be sent out to all of the participants to evaluate the mentorship program and offer up any suggestions for improvements.
Mentor and Mentee Awards
In April, we will ask all of the mentors and mentees to write a short essay describing their mentor or mentee and what makes them great. Those pairs that we feel are the best examples of outstanding mentor/mentee pairs will win a prize.