Ross Pallentine (BLM student), Venessa Flint (sitting - BLM student), Boban Arezina-llic (BIT/BLM student) and Sanober Maker (Masters of Accounting student) all have supported other students through the CQU Mentor Program. CQU Student Services is busy recruiting students for the 2008 Student Mentor and Leadership program.

About 300 student mentors will be required to assist new students on all our regional campuses and those studying via distance 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 2007.

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 11 years and it was commended in the recent Australian Universities Quality Audit report as an excellent support for new students.

Students wanting to become student mentors in 2008 should contact Olive Mallory on 4930 9456.