Enhancing educational support through student volunteering: A case study of two UCD New ERA projects delivered in partnership with UCD student volunteers.
Jennifer Murphy (University College Dublin), Fiona Sweeney (University College Dublin)
Abstract
UCD New ERA is a programme within the Office of the Director of Access in University College Dublin (UCD). The aim of the programme is to increase the participation at third level of school leaving students from lower socio-economic groups, where there is little or no family tradition of further or higher education. The Programme has two key strands of work. The first strand is a range of pre-entry activities targeting pupils in linked primary and secondary schools around the country. The second strand is post-entry support for those students who enter degree programmes in UCD having successfully achieved their place with the support of New ERA.
Two central elements of the service rely on student volunteering to deliver the projects. The first project is the Voluntary Tutoring Scheme which forms part of the pre-entry activities. The second is the Peer Mentoring Scheme which is a support for Stage 1 UCD students.
The Voluntary Tutoring Scheme has been run successfully for over 10 years. It is a partnership between secondary schools in target communities, UCD New ERA, and UCD students. The scheme facilitates UCD students to volunteer once a week for 8 weeks to provide one to one tuition to school pupils in either Leaving Certificate or Junior Certificate subjects. The student volunteer travels to the partner school, and supports the pupil with academic advice for their upcoming examinations, as well as encouragement to consider third level study as an option. Pupils consistently report how important the voluntary tutor is to their exam preparation, but also how much they value the friendship and encouragement to continue with their education. UCD student volunteers report equally positive experiences where they value the opportunity to try something new and different, and find their confidence grows as a result of participating in the Scheme.
The Peer Mentoring Scheme is part of the University wide UCD Links Peer Mentoring Scheme and New ERA have been involved from its pilot in 2006. New ERA peer mentors are New ERA students themselves, who have volunteered to support a group of Stage 1 students who enter UCD degree programmes with the support of New ERA. The mentor will arrange structured meetings throughout the academic year for their group, and they will also make themselves available to any mentee who finds the transition to UCD difficult, and ensure to direct them to the appropriate UCD service. Evaluations of the programme have highlighted the important role this Scheme plays in integrating new students to the UCD Community.
This case study draws on the experiences of both the staff of New ERA and the UCD students who participate as volunteers to support these two important projects. The paper outlines the challenges involved in delivering a professional programme, investigates the importance of working in partnership and highlights the reciprocal learning/ benefits that students gain through their involvement.
The paper will be delivered by both New ERA staff and UCD New ERA student volunteers.
