A successful year of Peer 2 Peer (P2P) mentoring support across South East Technological University’s (SETU) campuses in Waterford was celebrated on Tuesday, 20 February at a ceremony attended by President of SETU, Professor Veronica Campbell.
Almost 130 mentors attended the event which recognised their work in supporting first year SETU students. Among the 127 students were 21 senior mentors who returned to the P2P mentoring programme to participate in an accredited Special Purpose Award in peer mentoring.
The P2P Mentoring Programme is a student-led, student-centred initiative. It aims to support students in the transition from second to third level education by providing a trained guide who is a student from the senior years of their course.
P2P mentors act as support for their mentees throughout the academic year. This can involve offering advice relevant to their course, information surrounding available academic support, or even advice regarding student life itself. Mentors volunteer their time to keep in contact with their mentees throughout the year, helping them to build connections and confidence on campus.
A positive impact
In attendance at the event was Head of Student Life and Learning, Waterford Campus, Dr Laura Keane. Commenting on the positive impact P2P mentors have on the lives of students, Laura said: “Our mentors’ input matters and has a positive impact on the SETU community. Without them, there would be no P2P Mentoring Programme.
“First year students value their support, friendship and time. I applaud these mentors who have volunteered and given their time to help fellow students. This evening is about having the opportunity to thank them.”
The academic staff who led this Special Purpose Award were: Michael Tobin (BA (Hons) in Social Science), Geraldine Cleere (BA (Hons) in Criminal Justice Studies), Marie O’Dwyer (Bachelor of Business (Hons)) and BA (Hons) in Accounting), Mairead Barry (Department of Sport & Exercise Science), Fergal O’Hanlon & Emily Shillingford (School of Engineering), Nabla Kennedy (Department of Science), Maria Cahill (Department of Computing) and Erin McNamara Cullen (Bachelor of Arts (Hons)).