North Star Mentorship Program
Training Experts for the Professional World
Some undergraduate students may enter the B.A. Psychology program lacking a sense of self-efficacy or belonging in academic settings, particularly those from cultural backgrounds underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. For students facing such challenges, a near-peer program can provide academic and social support to increase student persistence and completion.
To address this need, we have received a grant of nearly $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to support a new student mentorship program over three years (2024-2027). Making a commitment of five to seven mentoring hours per week in support of these students can set an undergraduate on the course to success.
Student Experience
Graduate mentors will be the North Star to the undergraduate students with whom they work, helping them navigate their educational journeys.
In preparation for this work, mentors will receive training and resources to support the tailored guidance they will offer to their mentees.
Mentors and mentees will meet weekly via Zoom to establish rapport and trust. A specialized texting platform will facilitate safe, supportive communication between live mentoring sessions. Mentors and mentees will also participate in additional engagement events and initiatives.
Goals of the Program
Our goals for this project are to:
- Increase our students’ sense of belonging and self-efficacy
- Increase student persistence and graduation rates
- Increase student pursuit of graduate study
Mentor Application
The Chicago School is looking for M.A. Applied Psychology (MAP) students to mentor B.A. Psychology students. This is a paid position. Training and support will be provided. Click on the button below to apply.
Research Questions
This project will expand the field of student support research by exploring the impact of virtual mentorship programs. In addition, this project will increase our understanding of the differential impact of such programs on online and on-ground students.
The North Star Program is grounded in the research of Vincent Tinto, Ph.D., on student persistence, and his theories have been supported by a large body of research into student success.
Throughout the course of the project, researchers for The Chicago School will collect data as part of a study to address the following questions:
- Does near-peer mentoring enhance online and campus-based students’ sense of belonging and self-efficacy in a degree program? Are there differences between the groups?
- Does near-peer mentoring increase online and on-campus student fall-to-fall persistence? Is there a significant difference between the two or between intersecting identities?
- Does a near-peer mentoring program increase degree completion and pursuit of graduate study in online and on-campus students? Is there a difference between online and on-campus students or between intersecting identities?