Peer Supporter Group 2006

	Nicole Abernethy		Patricia Gallegos		Nicole Niedzwicki
	Nickione Baker		David Gethings		Ivy Ochoa
	Melissa Benko		Sulma Guevera		Dominique Palmieri
	Charles Boyd		Michelle Gueverra		Michael Pierrot
	Megan Burns		James Harper		Denys Sanchez
	Melanie Caldararo		Matt Hernandez		Amanda Scibetta
	Paul Cheguidden		Alexandra Illterude		Alicia Wood
	Moneah Clemmings		James Jones
	Andrew Conklin		Jeff Lansinger
	Jaclyn DeLillo		Sydir Mitchell

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs of Felician College designed and implemented a Peer Support Program to meet some of the special needs of new students.

Entering college is a unique experience.  It is both exciting and stressful at the same time.  Students are faced with a sudden increase of unfamiliar information, a strange environment and often a new approach to learning.  Such incongruece with past experience can be stressful, but can also provide an opportunity for positive personal growth.

The peer support group assists new students to work efficiently through this initial period of adjustment to college.  Upper class students serve as Peer Supporters to small groups of entering students.  Their role is that of experienced students who make initial contact with the new students upon arrival on campus and continue to be available throughout the new students’ first semester.  Initially the Peer Support Group attempts to provide whatever information the beginning students need to deal with their new environment.  This preliminary stage quickly passes and the Peer Supporters aid the new students in effective problem solving approaches to secure their own solutions within the Felician College environment.  Throughout the process the Peer Supporters serve as models for a successful incorporation of college and personal responsibilities.

Selection Process

The process of selecting Peer Supporters is as follows:

	The Vice President for Student Affairs and the Coordinator of Student Activities selects from the Faculty recommendations a list of students to serve as Peer Supporters. An individual student may contact the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Coordinator of Student Activities to request consideration for the Peer Supporter Program.
	Students approved are invited to participate in the Peer Support Orientation Program during July and August.

Peer Supporters should meet the following criteria:

	Good academic standing.
	Approval by the Vice President for Student Affairs.
	Must display an interest in supporting, helping, and caring.
	Have the ability to work effectively with other students on a one-to-one basis.
	Willingness to commit a minimum of 1-2 hours per month to Peer Supporting during the first semester of the year.
	Must show integrity in upholding the standards of Felician College.

Goals of the Peer Support Program

	To guide the new students into making a successful entry into the collegiate world.
	To offer the new students assistance and encouragement in developing positive attitudes and confidence in their ability to learn.
	To acquaint the new students with the mission of the college, services, and resources.

Peer Supporter Skills

The Peer Supporter must assume the responsibility in acquiring the following skills needed in effective Peer Supporting:

	Develop an ability to listen and to understand the student.
	Develop a desire to get to know the student as a person.
	Develop an ability to admit one's mistakes and limitations.
	Develop an ability to question the student and oneself.
	Develop an ability to work closely with Faculty and Administration in helping students understand, utilize, and respect their institution.

Listening & Responsibility

Listening is the most basic skill for the Supporter. To clarify what listening is, it is helpful to know the elements of listening behavior. There are five important elements: Eye Contact, Body Language, Verbal Responses, Vocal Tone, and Questioning.

Peer Supporters have many responsibilities to the students. They must follow a set of guidelines to insure that they are willing to help and available when needed.

Evaluation of Peer Supporters

At the end of the semester, the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Coordinator of Student Activities will evaluate the performance of each Peer Supporter. This evaluation is based primarily on the Peer Supporter's attendance at and/or participation in meetings, workshops, Advisement Seminars, and on the Peer Supporter's availability to students. The students will also evaluate the Peer Supporters at the end of the orientation program, during the semester, and at the end of the fall semester.

The Evaluation of Peer Supporters is conducted each year by the members of the Student Activities Office. The purpose of the evaluation is twofold:

	To maintain a high quality of support service.
	To help identify areas in which Peer Supporter training is needed.