"Literally Showing That I Care About Them": A Peer Mentor Leadership Model.

Abstract

As a high-impact practice, peer mentoring programs are used in a variety of contexts, with a variety of outcomes for mentees. Peer mentoring programs present a unique experience for mentors to develop leadership skills. However, gaps in the literature expose the need for a greater understanding of peer mentor leadership practice and more intentional leadership education and training for mentors. Our study explored significant learning experiences of peer mentors who served in a first-year experience program at a small, private institution in the Midwestern United States, with a model of peer mentor leadership emerging among participants' narratives.