Abstract
This research study explores how mentoring affects self-efficacy while positively influencing belief in degree attainment and connectedness. The findings help educators create and enhance mentoring strategies for student success.
Primary Author and Speaker: Barbra Katerberg
Additional Authors and Speakers: Grace Boeve, Taylor Smith, Melissa Wanink
High self-efficacy plays a crucial role in academic success as students have the confidence to do well. Academic mentoring is a tool used to foster self-efficacy by supporting students. A good sense of belonging is also vital, enhancing engagement, motivation, and academic self-efficacy in academic settings. This mixed-method, cross-sectional study explored academic mentoring’s impact on college students’ self-efficacy. A survey was created, asking questions about perceptions of mentoring and self-efficacy. A survey link was distributed to all students through university email and QR codes were distributed across campus. A total of 236 adult students voluntarily completed the survey, while only 36 were currently being mentored. Using Google Sheets, qualitative data was independently coded and then discussed until a consensus was reached on themes. The themes suggest that unmentored participants strongly believe that a mentoring relationship would support a sense of belonging, efficacy, and confidence in graduation. Comparing the mentored students, first-generation students expressed mentoring helps with higher academic confidence and affirmation than non-first-generation students. Quantitative data was analyzed, and t-tests were conducted to compare mentored/non-mentored students. SPSS software was used to obtain p-values with an alpha set at <0.05. Of the quantitative questions, just one area was found to be statistically significant: mentored students reported stronger connections with classmates (p = .025). Other t-test results are as follows: ‘Sense of belonging’ p = .713, and ‘Graduation confidence’ p = .20. Data from this study can inform educators. Educators can create or enhance mentoring programs by understanding the complex impact of academic mentorship on college students’ self-efficacy, sense of belonging, and graduation confidence. Programs that empower students and foster academic success and a sense of belonging within the university.
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