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SCU Mates
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Welcome to the SCU Mates mentoring program
The SCU Mates peer mentoring program connects commencing students (Mentees) with experienced current students (Mentors) from undergraduates to postgraduates at Southern Cross University.
Mentors are ‘awesome - superstar’ students who volunteer their time to ensure new students feel welcomed and supported at Southern Cross University either online or across all campuses.
Mentoring is non-academic support offered to ensure new students are assisted to meet their peers and settle successfully into life at SCU.
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If you are a new SCU student, on-campus or online, you can connect with one of our wonderful student Mentors who can assist you in navigating your first two terms at university. Mentors can make your start to study easier by sharing their tips, knowledge and experience.
- Click here to Select a Mentor on the SCU Mates registration portal (you will have to register with your student email).
- Browse through the available Mentors in the left menu. You can filter your search or read through the SCU Mates profiles. When you find someone that resonates and is listed as available, click ‘Select Mentor’ on their profile.
- Your mentor will receive an email to let them know you have selected them. They will get in touch with you via your student email address within two working days.
If you are an experienced student, from undergrad to postgrad, who has successfully completed 48 credit points you are encouraged to volunteer as an SCU Mates Mentor. It’s a great way to meet new students, join our Peer Mentoring community, meet and network with SCU staff for potential future employment opportunities, learn leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, and upgrade your CV to reflect your engagement in a student volunteer program at a tertiary level.
What’s involved?
Mentors complete on-campus or online training modules to prepare for the program, link with other mentors and are supported by the Peer Program Coordinator.
Mentors:
- Are part of the SCU Volunteer Program and will receive incentives and training
- Are connected with commencing student, typically for their first two Terms of study
- Can meet with their Mentees online or on campus
- Share their own experiences and tips to help new students settle into their studies
- Refer new students to support services
- Respect privacy and confidentiality
- DO NOT offer academic assistance or help Mentees with their studies
At the end of each mentoring connection, our Mentors receive a certificate of acknowledgement which can be added to their resume to demonstrate skills such as leadership and communication.
Mentors can choose how much time they would like to spend volunteering, and it is recommended to connect at least three times during the Term. We ask that you catch up prior to O’Week, and then throughout the Term you can also check-in around Census Week, and at the end towards exams and final assessments.
Most Mentors say they spend less than one hour per week, but this will depend on your individual Mentoring relationship. SCU Mates Mentors understand that it is one of the most fulfilling roles you can be involved in due to the skills, understanding and connections made, and the knowing that their very presence can make a remarkable difference for another student on their journey at SCU.
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Steps to become a Mentor
Step 1 – Visit our SCU Mates registration portal and check your eligibility. If you have completed at least 48 credit points, you will be able to register as a Mentor.
Step 2 – Once a student has registered, they can create a Mentor profile. This profile includes a short bio, a suitable photo, and other information for potential Mentees.
Step 3 – Complete Mentor Training when prompted – this consists of self-paced online modules to be completed in Sway and Scout.
Step 4 – Once the training is complete, your Mentor profile will become active in the SCU Mates portal and you will receive instructions from the Peer Program Coordinator on how to begin your Mentoring relationship.
Mentors are automatically available to assist up to five Mentees, but this can be changed by contacting the SCU Mates team.
The SCU Mates team is here to support Mentors and Mentees on-campus and online at scumates@scu.edu.au. For further information, please get in touch.
FAQs
The SCU Mates program is available to commencing students at SCU across all campuses and online. Most Mentees sign up for a Mentor in their first two terms of study.
The mentoring connection is generally for two terms of study. However, you may find that your mentoring relationships develop into new friendships that will last throughout your studies and beyond.
Your Mentor is not a tutor and cannot provide you with academic assistance. However, they can refer you to services and help you find resources that can assist you. Mentors can share study tips that worked for them and help you settle into your study routine.
Mentoring can be ended by either Mentor or Mentee if the relationship is not working.
The Peer Program Coordinator is here to support both Mentors and Mentees. Any issues should be brought to the Program Coordinator’s attention immediately by emailing scumates@scu.edu.au.