The demand for practicing registered nurses outweighs the supply, resulting in a nursing shortage. Nursing schools are grappling with high attrition and low NCLEX pass rates. Mentoring is an evidence-based strategy used in post-secondary education, including nursing school, to help students persist to graduation and pass NCLEX. Nursing faculty are…

Pastoral peer mentoring often benefits both mentors and mentees through promoting a successful academic postsecondary transition. Based on interviews and focus groups with 36 York University mentors and mentees, this qualitative study highlights the successes and challenges of university pastoral peer mentoring and leadership. Major findings…

Persons with disabilities have been underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for many years. Reasons for this include low expectations for students with disabilities, limited exposure to prerequisite courses, lack of role models, and lack of access to individualized supports. This article identifies…

The RocCity Scholars Program was developed to establish the efficacy of replicating the Rosen Scholars Program (ERIC #ED451789). Both programs were offered in inner-city environments, (New York City and Rochester) and both targeted the same under-served populations: college-bound academic achievers who were culturally, socially and financially…

The role of the mentor is traced in the literature of adult developmental psychology. Four primary elements of that role are: pointing the way at a developmental crossroad, offering material and/or emotional support, challenging, and letting go at the appropriate time. (MSE)

Within the context of a discussion of approaches to student development and retention, this paper describes a program of student development involving a person - a preceptor - who takes responsibility for a student's growth and well-being. Introductory material outlines the traditional approach to student development and discusses ways in which…

Seven suggestions for meeting the social/emotional needs of gifted students include encourage controlled risk taking; provide myriad social experiences; inventory family similarities and differences; encourage biography reading; provide mentorship opportunities; love and respect students as individuals; and encourage a self-concept that extends…

In late 2003, the regional campus of the University of South Australia initiated a peer-mentoring program aimed at assisting the smooth transition of new students to university life. In particular, the Nursing and Rural Health unit envisaged a program that would be effective and rewarding for both student mentees and mentors. This paper presents…

This report describes findings of a study concerned with identifying environments of support to increase the participation and success of African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, and U.S.-born Asian Americans in doctoral programs. The project found that supportive environments include: (1) aggressive and targeted recruitment efforts; (2)…

In 1985, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at Arizona State University offered 10 major categories of services to students. Its austere budget allocation was noted as a significant obstacle to an increase in its professional office staff; this led to a concern that the provision of student services was not being optimized. A study was conducted…