Attending graduate school is an excellent way to advance your career, but it requires balancing coursework with other responsibilities.
“The first couple months of the program can feel stressful,” said David Lau, student affairs coordinator at Adelphi University.
To help learners adjust, the Online Master of Social Work program at the Adelphi University School of Social Work offers a mentorship program that pairs new students with peers who are further along in the degree. Lau now oversees this program, which was created by former program director, Beverly Araujo Dawson, PhD.
“It’s helpful to have someone to talk to who has been through this – someone who has juggled pursuing an MSW while balancing work and family,” said Lau. “The student mentorship program is a tremendous resource.”
Learn more about the benefits of the student mentorship program through a Q&A session with Lau.
What inspired Adelphi to establish this program?
We saw peer mentoring as another resource to help new students acclimate to the online Master of Social Work program and to the online learning environment. We also wanted to build a sense of community among incoming students.
Students learn about the program during their first residency. Participation is voluntary and open to all.
When did the program begin?
In Fall of 2020 , the program began with a small group of mentors and mentees. By Fall 2024, we had 14 mentors and 28 mentees.
How do you choose mentors?
We take a holistic approach when choosing our mentors. We look for students who have been successful in the program with an overall GPA of 3.7 or higher. In addition, the majority of our mentors have been mentees themselves.
What criteria do you use to pair mentors with mentees?
We created an application process that matches mentors and mentees based on specifics such as why they are interested in having a mentor/mentee, what their interests are in the field of social work, why they chose to pursue an MSW, and what they plan to do with their degree once they graduate. The application also covers logistics, such as schedule availability and how students ideally want to connect.
The answers to these questions allow us to pair mentees with mentors who can best support their unique needs.
Do mentors work with more than one mentee?
Typically each mentor has one mentee at a time, but there have been circumstances where a mentor may have two or three mentees.
Many students are concerned about the practicum. Can mentees be paired with mentors who are currently in practicum?
It depends on the mentors who volunteer to be part of the program. Being in practicum is not a requirement for being a mentor. That said, incoming students with concerns about practicum are advised to reach out to the Office of Practicum Education for additional practicum support.
What are the primary benefits students gain from participating in the mentoring program?
The program was designed to be mutually beneficial for mentors and mentees. Mentees have access to support from a fellow student who has first-hand knowledge of what they are going through. For mentors, the program provides a way to give back and connect with the community.
How long does the mentoring relationship typically last?
Though the mentor/mentee relationship is officially designated as a first semester activity, it often extends beyond when the mentee requests it.
Are mentors given specific training or resources to guide their mentees effectively?
Though we don’t have an official training program, I provide them with guidance and specific resources to help support their engagement with their mentees.
We do not limit the topics that our mentors and mentees discuss, which may include technology, social work experiences, and program resources.
How often do mentors and mentees meet?
We recommend that mentors and mentees meet weekly or every other week. Meetings can be in person, virtual, or over the phone.
Does the mentoring relationship have specific goals or milestones?
We encourage the mentor and their mentee to work together on setting goals they want to achieve in this program. We feel that it’s very important to provide them with the flexibility and ownership of their engagement.
Have there been any changes or improvements to the program based on student or mentor feedback?
The most recent change we’ve made is to conduct a mid-semester check-in with mentors and mentees. This gives us an opportunity to see if they need anything and to find out how things are going. IIt also gives us the chance to discuss other tasks that they may need to complete.
What advice would you give to a new mentee to get the most out of the program?
My advice to mentees – and to all students – is to get the help that they need as soon as possible. Many students feel embarrassed when they fall behind, which is understandable, but they don’t reach out to their professors, advisors, and mentors for support and resources right away. Once we pair mentees with mentors, I encourage them to communicate and establish their meeting schedule as soon as possible. Mentees should not hesitate to update their mentors if they encounter issues or need resources. It is very important for all mentees to be proactive in their education, seek the help they need, and to know that we are here to support them.
About the Adelphi School of Social Work
Established in 1949 and continually accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1951, the Adelphi University School of Social Work has been leading the field for more than 70 years.
We train practitioners to improve the lives of individuals, families, groups and communities. The School is a strong advocate for social justice and a driving force for ethical social work practice. For these reasons and more, we are consistently ranked as one of the top programs in the nation.
Our classes are small and supportive, whether they are taught in a traditional classroom setting or online. We balance a challenging curriculum with a choice of flexible learning formats. Our faculty members are engaged social media scholars with extensive teaching experience. They are also recognized leaders in their respective fields.
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