The Power of an Online Peer Advisement Model - Supporting Students

This session presents a model for online peer advisement. In an online environment, the power of a peer advisement model works to build and sustain learning communities. Collaboration between faculty advisor and student, as well as student to student, is necessary in developing these communities. The online peer advisement model Provides basic guidance and assistance for new learners enrolled in a graduate program that would complement existing advising and support services. Peer Mentoring pairs a new student in the first semester of the program with an experienced student with more expertise in the online environment. This session will address the following elements of the peer advisement program: 1) What is the peer advisement model? 2) How are peer mentors selected and assigned to faculty advisors? 3) What is the peer advisement shell? 4)What services are provided by the online peer mentor? and 5) What have we learned from implementing the peer advisement model? This will be accomplished through a poster session or presentation and discussion conducted from the perspectives of faculty and graduate students on the topics presented below: I. Peer Advisory Program a. What is the peer advisement model? b. Background and history of Online programs at the university c. Definition of the peer advisement model d. Importance of the online Peer Advisement Program II. How are peer mentors selected and assigned to faculty advisors? a. Invitation letter b. Application process c. Peer Advisor Screening and Selection d. Assigned to a Faculty Advisor III. What is the peer advisement shell? a. Online Advisement services b. Faculty Advisement Shell c. Peer Mentoring embedded into Faculty Advisement Shell IV. What services are provided by the online peer mentor? a. Roles and responsibilities defined b. Technology tools utilized for advisement c. Examples of peer mentor/mentee activity V. Strengths and Challenges of the Peer Mentoring Program a. Faculty and Student Perspectives b. Feedback/Data from Faculty, Peer Mentors, and Advisees