The evolution of peer mentoring at the University of Western Sydney

Peer mentoring has been conducted at what is now known as the University of Western Sydney (UWS) since 1995. It began by following the Supplemental Instruction (SI) model very closely, but has evolved over the eleven years since its inception in order to accommodate more closely the specific subject and student needs of the institution. While the programs have enjoyed success in terms of the academic outcomes of the mentees and the reported outcomes of the mentors, they have also succeeded in spreading the systemised integration of collaborative learning through the institution. Although peer mentoring at UWS offers academic support, it is not tutoring. Mentors facilitate academic group discussion and the focus is on collaborative discussion among mentees. Despite the academic success of the program, the funding and timetabling arrangements continue to be challenges which need to be addressed. However, as the history of the programs demonstrates, the challenges and issues which have arisen at the University of Western Sydney, while not unique to UWS, have helped shape the programs and have led to some unexpected yet beneficial outcomes.