Thriving in Engineering: A Pilot Peer Mentorship Model for First-Year Students

Abstract

This paper describes a peer mentorship program piloted in a cornerstone first-year engineering course (ENG 1101: Renaissance Engineer 1) at the Lassonde School of Engineering in York University since fall of 2021. The mentorship program is designed to help first-year students develop the cognitive, emotional, motivational, and relational foundations for success and thriving in an engineering program. Students are brought together in small groups (termed “guilds”) for structured coaching sessions with an assigned upper-year engineering student as a mentor and participate in a total of five sessions, each with their own topic and learning outcomes. The program fosters students’ sense of belonging through participation in meaningful group activities and engaging students in a shared experience. Reflections from students and mentors about the program highlight the importance of building intentional opportunities that promote students’ sense of connection. Program challenges, refinements, and future directions are considered.