Date of Award

Spring 2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

Committee Chairperson

Margaret Ervin, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Seth Kahn, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Michelle Blake, M.A.

Abstract

This study is a mixed-method research project designed to assess and understand the relationship between mentoring and leadership, specifically in regard to the acquired benefits, skills, and methods that are gained through this work. Moreover, this study also explores the overlap between mentoring and leadership developmental programs. The results suggest that mentoring is a leadership role which yields significant personal and professional outcomes, transferable skills, and learning opportunities for both mentors and the students that they work with. The results also demonstrate a relationship between mentoring and leadership development within the West Chester University Writing Peer Mentor Program through the benefits and acquired skills that mentors experienced which included increased sense of confidence, community, and institutional knowledge. While more research, with a greater population of participants, is needed to understand the unique impact and influence of mentoring as a leadership role on first-generation students, this research contributes to the growing body of literature that helps program administrators to design impactful and highly effective developmental programs for student engagement. Moreover, this research also provides insight for students aspiring to assume leadership roles.

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