Thanks to UH Libraries, undergrads can pick up invaluable research skills and pass them along to their peers as student mentors.

THE PEER MENTOR PROGRAM  is a new initiative at UH Libraries that aims to transform the way students learn and collaborate.
    Peer mentors are undergrads who learn skills in research and information literacy concepts, such as developing keywords or refining a research topic, and go on to teach their peers across campus through co-curricular engagement. Led by student success librarian Carolina Hernandez, the program expands the reach of the Teaching and Learning team’s services and resources, with the purpose of improving information literacy and student success rates.
    First, training: The mentors undergo thorough online learning modules and discussions, workshops, and observation sessions. They grasp what and how to teach. As they become familiar with library resources and info lit concepts, they begin collaborating with librarians and each other to assess how familiar UH students are with the library and then tailor instruction and engagement accordingly. They’re also able to answer the more involved questions about academics and research.
    Second, the test: The mentors develop their own interactive workshops, demonstrating mastery of the concepts and audience engagement. They’re empowered to incorporate their personal interests, apply what they’ve learned and build confidence by sharing their ideas with others.
    Third, outreach: The mentors interact with peers at tabling events and information sessions, demonstrating how UH Libraries supports student success. They’re encouraged to forge connections with student groups and organizations and promote specific services that may be most relevant to those constituencies.

    Gabrielle Epps conducted one such introductory workshop for the Texas Scholars, a group of first-year students who benefited from an overview of the Libraries’ resources. Lexi Gaddis and Nilesh Garg co-led a workshop for students in the RED Labs Summer Accelerator Program, designed to help UH students, faculty and recent alumni develop their business ideas.
    “Peer learning is an essential skill to have,” Gaddis says. “It’s not only about teaching others with less experience; it’s about connecting with peers who share your level of expertise and helping them pick up new abilities or improve existing ones.”
    What’s next for the peer mentor program? It’s evolving, in part due to a flexible framework and the valuable perspectives the mentors bring. They’re helping to shape the path of the program as they figure out how their strengths and interests fit with the Libraries’ needs and the needs and the communities it serves.
    In the future, Hernandez hopes the mentors will be able to hold one-on-one consultations in an inspiring, dedicated space in the library.
    “Peer-assisted learning has been shown to not only improve students’ understanding but also give them a sense of belonging,” Hernandez says. “We hope that, through getting help from peer mentors, students will feel more welcome and comfortable using UH Libraries.”