FSL Peer Mentor Program
What is Peer Mentoring?
FSL provides social support to our students through peer mentoring relationships that help them transition to Austin Peay State University and achieve their self-determined social goals. We achieve this by pairing our students with Peer Mentors who display leadership and social understanding on the college campus and have interest in ASD.
Peer mentors meet their mentee once a week, submit a report of each meeting to the FSL office and commit to this volunteer position for one academic year. They model appropriate social behaviors, introduce FSL students to organizations and friends on campus (while maintaining confidentiality). Peer Mentors help FSL students develop a sense of belonging to Austin Peay State University while cultivating a friendship. Peer mentors are provided training and resources by the Peer Mentor Coordinator.
Leadership, team work, time management, and a host of other skills can be enhanced by becoming a peer mentor. Peer mentors can encounter different situations that call for compassion, decision-making, and good listening skills. These transferrable skills can be used in any aspects of life, including any career path as mentors interact with classmates and co-workers. They can add this paid work experience to their resume, LinkedIn profile, and other career portfolios, where they can show employers how they can adapt to new environments through their experience as a peer mentor. This is also an opportunity for peer mentors to expand their circle of friends and benefit from a sense of fulfillment, empowerment, inclusiveness and personal growth.
FSL Participants have learned more about the university and the Clarksville community, and enhanced their self-motivation, self-discipline and goal setting through the mentorship program. They gain practical encouragement and learn from the social experiences offered by their peer mentor. Mentees develop strategies for behaving in social environments and show an increase in their social and academic confidence and become more empowered to make decisions. Mentees also mention that they enjoy making new friends and having fun as well.