Near-peer mentoring program implementation in STEM higher education

To increase academic success in an engineering higher education institution a near-peer mentoring program was designed for first year students and implemented. First-year students face several challenges due to a transition to a different academic approach, sometimes the need to adopt new study methods, or live in a new city. For many students the increase of responsibility and autonomy happens simultaneously with the enrolment at the higher education institution, and with the beginning of adult life. It’s common to a first-year student to feel an overwhelmed sensation that can be converted in enthusiasm or run-down. The mentoring programs can help to cope with these students, contribute to their academic success and mitigate early dropouts. In this paper the design process and the development stages during the implementation of a near-peer mentoring program are described.