STRENGTHENING MENTORING: FACILITATING RELATIONSHIP BUILDING BETWEEN LOW-INCOME AND FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND STAFF MENTORS AT A LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

In this study, I examine the mentor-mentee relationships of low-income, first-generation students and faculty and staff in the Pack Promise program at NC State University. Through this study I sought to answer the following research questions: (1) What are the mentoring experiences of low-income, first-generation students and faculty and staff in the Pack Promise program at NC State? (2) Given the experiences of participants in their mentoring relationships, what are some strategies the Pack Promise program can employ to enhance mentor-mentee relationships? (3) What are the effects of an intervention developed to improve mentoring experiences of participants in the Pack Promise program? I used an action research approach with three phases of inquiry. In phase 1 administer surveys to student, faculty, and staff participants and facilitated semi-structured interviews with student participants. In phase 2 I analyzed data from the surveys and semi-structured interviews to plan the interventions. In phase 3 I facilitated the interventions, collected data regarding their effects, and analyzed the data. I found that creating opportunities for students and their coaches to engage socially strengthens their relationships and overall connectedness to the Pack Promise Program, their peers and coaches, and their university college. Implications for policy and practice are included.