Innovating for student success: The University Leadership Network (ULN) and tiered undergraduate peer mentor model

Authors

  • Jennifer L. Smith The University of Texas at Austin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18060/21543

Keywords:

Peer mentor, training, underrepresented students

Abstract

This paper highlights the innovative approach the Student Success Initiative’s unit at the University of Texas at Austin is taking to increase undergraduate persistence and four-year graduation rates. Specifically, this piece explores the large-scale University Leadership Network (ULN) program and examines the tiered undergraduate peer mentor model utilized to support the success of first-year students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, including a majority of underrepresented minority (URM) students. The article also reviews the critical role peer mentors play in helping to meet institution-wide goals and how they extend the reach of student support programs. Lastly, best practices, challenges, and components necessary for program replication will be presented.

Author Biography

Jennifer L. Smith, The University of Texas at Austin

Jennifer Smith serves as the Director of the University Leadership Network (ULN) at The University of Texas at Austin. As part of the university’s Student Success Initiatives (SSI) unit, ULN was created to increase four-year graduation rates. She was appointed to provide a unique student experience based on leadership, professional development, and experiential learning combined with the opportunity to earn a significant scholarship. Jennifer was instrumental in the development and implementation of a number student success initiatives at UT Austin, including the University Leadership Network, the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan Mentor Academy, and the College of Natural Sciences Peer Leader Academy. Dr. Smith received both her Master of Educational Administration and Doctor of Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Jennifer’s research and practice center on leadership, incentive-based scholarships, undergraduate peer mentoring, and the experiences of underrepresented undergraduate populations.

References

Astin, A. W. (1977). Four critical years: Effects of college on beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Astin, A. W. (1984). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Personnel, 297-308. Retrieved from http://www.ydae.purdue.edu/lct/hbcu/documents/Student_Involvement_A_Developmental_Theory_for_HE_Astin.pdf

Astin, A. W. (1993). What matters in college: Four critical years revisited. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Allen, W. R. (1985). Black student white campus: Structural, interpersonal, and psychological correlates of success. Journal of Negro Students, 54(2), 134-137. https://doi.org/10.2307/2294928

Allen, W. R. (1992). The color of success: African-American college student outcomes at predominantly white and historically Black public colleges and universities. Harvard Educational Review, 62, 26-44. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.62.1.wv5627665007v701

Baum, S., Ma, J., & Payea, K. (2013). Education pays 2013. The College Board.

Carnegie Foundation. (2014). Institution profile: The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved from http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/lookup.php

Chickering, A. W. (1969). Education and identity. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Cigarroa, F. (2011). A framework for advancing excellence through the University of Texas System. As presented at the meeting of the Board of Regents, May 12, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.as.utexas.edu/bov/resources/05.Cigarroa-advancing_excellence_may2011.pdf

Cobb, S. (1976). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38(5), 300-314. Retrieved from http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/38/5/300.full.pdf+html https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-197609000-00003

Cokely, K. (2000). An investigation of academic self-concept and its relationship to academic achievement in African American college students. Journal of Black Psychology, 26(2), 148-164. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798400026002002

Coles, A. (2011). The Role of Mentoring in College Access and Success. Research to Practice Brief. Institute for Higher Education Policy.

College Reading and Learning Association. (2015). International Mentor Training Program Certification. Retrieved from: http://www.crla.net/index.php/certifications/imtpc-international-mentor-training-program

Cuyjet, M. J. (1997). African American Men on College Campuses: Their Needs and Their Perceptions. New Directions for Student Services, 1997: 5–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.8001

Dahlvig, J. (2010). Mentoring of African American Students at predominantly white institutions (PWI). Christian Higher Education, 9(5), 369-395. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363750903404266

Dweck, C.(2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

Duckworth, A., Quinn, P. (2009). Development and Validation of the short grit scale (Grit-S). Journal of Personality Assessment, 91(2) https://doi.org/10.1080/00223890802634290

Engle, J., & Tinto, V. (2008, November). Moving beyond access: College student success for low-income, first-generation students. Retrieved from Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education website: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED504448.pdf

Flowers, L. & Pascarella, E. T. (1999). The effects of college racial composition on African American college students’ orientations toward learning for self-understanding. Professional Educator, 22(1), 22-47.

Fleming, J. (1984). Blacks in college: A comparative study of students' success in Black and in White institutions. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Fry, R. (2011). Hispanic college enrollment spikes, narrowing gaps with other groups: 24% growth from 2009 to 2010. Pew Research Center, (August), 1-29. Retrieved from www.pewhispanic.org.

Goodman, J., Schlossberg, N. K., & Anderson, M. L. (2006). Counseling adults in transition (3rd ed.).New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.

Hansen, R.N. & Johnston, M.C. (1986, September). College students as paraprofessional career specialists. Journal of Career Development, 13(1), 18-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/089484538601300103

Harris, V. (2012). The effectiveness of African American and Hispanic mentoring programs at predominantly white institutions. Center for Higher Education, Working paper series, Ohio University, 1-15.

Heckman, J. & Rubinstein, Y. (2001 May). The importance of non-cognitive skills: Lessons from the GED testing program. American Economic Review, 91(2), (May, 2001). https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.2.145

Kram, K., & Isabella, L. (1985). Mentoring alternatives: The role of peer relationships in career development. Academy of Management Journal, 28(1), 110-132. https://doi.org/10.2307/256064

Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., & Rodriguez, M. (1989). Delay of gratification in children. Science, 244( 4907), 933-938. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.2658056

Moore, K. M., & Amey, M. J. (1988, Winter). Some faculty leaders are born women. New Directions for Student Services, 1998(44), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.37119884406

National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Retrieved from: http://nces.ed.gov/

Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (1977). Patterns of student-faculty information interaction beyond the classroom and voluntary freshman attrition. Journal of Higher Education, 48(5), 540-552. https://doi.org/10.2307/1981596

Pearson, R.E. (1990). Counseling and social support: Perspectives and practice. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Perry, W. G. (1970). Forms of intellectual and ethical development in the college years. New York, NY: Holt, Rhinehart, and Winston.

Schlossberg, N. K. (1984). Counseling adults in transition. New York, NY: Springer publishing company.

Sipe, C.L. (1996). Mentoring: A Synthesis of P/PV’s Research: 1988-1995.

Smith, J.L. (2014). Undergraduate peer mentors serving underrepresented students at a predominantly white institution (Doctoral dissertation).

Strayhorn, T. L., & Terrell, M. C. (2010). The evolving challenges of Black college students new insights for policy, practice, and research. (1 ed., pp. 1-4). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

Thomsen, J. (2015). Search for Success. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/08/10/officials-11-partnering-universities-share-strategies-helping-students-graduate

The University of Texas at Austin. (2016). Statistical Handbook: Student characteristics: Fall 2016. Retrieved from http://reports.utexas.edu/statistical-handbook.

The University of Texas at Austin. (2015). Statistical Handbook: Student characteristics: Fall 2015. Retrieved from https://sps.austin.utexas.edu/sites/ut/IRRIS/Pages/Stat-Handbook.aspx

The White House Office of the Press Secretary. (2009). Remarks at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan. Compilation of Presidential Documents. Washington, DC: Office of the Federal Register. Retrieved from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/DCPD-200900565/pdf/DCPD-200900565.pdf

Tinto, V. (1975). Dropout from higher education: A theoretical synthesis of recent research. Review of Educational Research, 45(1), 89-125. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543045001089

Tough, P. (2012). How children succeed. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Tough, P. (2014). Who gets to graduate, New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/cfawis/new_york_times.pdf

PBS Newshour (2015, August 7). Why Poor Students Drop Out Even When Financial Aid Covers The Cost. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/poor-students-drop-even-financial-aid-covers-cost/

U.S. News and World Report. (2016). Best colleges in 2015. Retrieved from http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

UT News. (2012). Graduation Rate Champion Appointed at The University of Texas at Austin [Press release]. Retrieved from http://news.utexas.edu/2012/05/08/graduation_rate_champion

Vaux, A., Phillips, J., Holly, L., Thomson, B., Williams, D., & Stewart, D. (1986). The social support appraisals (SS-A) scale: Studies of reliability and validity. American Journal of Community Psychology, 14(2), 195-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00911821

Walpole, M. (2003). Socioeconomic status and college: How SES affects college experiences and outcomes. The Review of Higher Education, 27(1), Fall, 45-73. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2003.0044

Downloads

Published

2017-08-24