Learning Objectives for Academic Mentors

The primary goal of the Student Academic Mentor program is to increase student learning and academic success among freshman, sophomore and transfer students. A secondary goal is to provide upper class students with opportunities to hone their interpersonal, academic, leadership and teaching skills while working as an academic mentor.

Below are broad learning objectives for student academic mentors who participate in the program.

To build relationships:

• Academic mentors will learn how to initiate helping relationships with class members.
• Academic mentors will learn to assess the effectiveness of academic strategies based on learning theory.

To act as role models and offer academic resources:

• Academic Mentors will gain a basic understanding of learning theory and how to apply theory to academic tasks.
• Academic Mentors will learn to instruct students in the use of effective academic strategies for course related tasks.
• Academic Mentors will learn to lead small group sessions with specific learning objectives related to academic strategies and/or course content.

To provide referrals:

• Academic mentors will gain a basic understanding of transition issues for freshman, sophomore and transfer students in university settings.
• Academic mentors will learn how to refer students dealing with transition issues to appropriate resources.