CQU Student Services is busy recruiting second and third-year students for the 2007 Student Mentor and Leadership program.

About 300 student mentors will be required to assist new students on all our regional campuses to settle into study.

First Year Experience Coordinator Olive Mallory said there is a lot to learn in the first few weeks of starting at university and CQU has found that student mentors can really help new students adjust quickly.

More than 90% of all on-campus students at CQU’s regional campuses and over 600 distance education students were linked with a student mentor in 2006.

Ms Mallory explained that student mentors also benefit by developing skills such as leadership and group work, which are sought after by most employers.

Besides the training at the commencement of the year, practical professional development training is provided to mentors throughout the year in such areas as conflict resolution and communication skills.

CQU Bookshop supports the Student Mentor and Leadership program by offering all mentors a 10% discount on text books.

CQU’s Student Mentor and Leadership program has been conducted for 10 years and it was commended in the recent Australian Universities Quality Audit report as an excellent support for new students.

Photo (above): A student mentor points out the benefits of the role to fellow students.

Photo (below): Mentors in action.