UniMentor: connecting students

An inclusive, university-wide first-year student mentor program is essential to Southern Cross University (SCU), where over 60% of the student cohort is from a regional or remote area, 25% are from low socio-economic... [ view full abstract ]

An inclusive, university-wide first-year student mentor program is essential to Southern Cross University (SCU), where over 60% of the student cohort is from a regional or remote area, 25% are from low socio-economic backgrounds and over 60% of students are first in their family to attend university.

We want our first-year students, whether they study on campus or by distance education, to begin their studies confident they can meet any challenges, enjoy the excitement, and thrive in the new environment of higher education. UniMentor is specifically designed to be accessible, inclusive, encouraging and welcoming. An online registration process linked with unit enrolment makes the program visible and accessible.

From small beginnings in 2006, where 40 first year students signed up for a mentor, the program has grown to offer mentoring to over three thousand commencing students. Participation levels grow each year and 2015 saw a 15% increase in the number of new students being matched with a mentor (615 in session 1 2015). Mentor participation has similarly grown. Over 50% of mentors continue to volunteer until graduation.

First year students with a mentor continue on to their second year of study at a higher rate than the general student population by around 8%. This trend has been apparent since 2009, and is indicative of the value of the UniMentor program.

The importance and effectiveness of the UniMentor Program is recognised by the institution’s support at the highest level, the integration of program registration within the enrolment process, and formally through the award of a Vice Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in 2009, a National Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) Citation in 2012 and a Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in 2013.