Peer mentoring research on impacts for peer mentors

Today as I was cleaning off my computer desktop I ran across an article by Dr. Michael Karcher, a leading peer mentoring champion and researcher at the University of Texas, San Antonio. This scholarly article, titled "Increases in Academic Connectedness and Self-Esteem Among High School Students Who Serve as Cross-Age Peer Mentors" (April 2009) is one of a handful that investigate the impact of peer mentoring on the mentors themselves. I think we often assume, and anecdotally we are reasonably justified in assuming, that peer mentors will benefit from the mentoring experience. But just as some mentees fail to thrive in mentoring situations that are not well-designed, peer mentors need a variety of supports, including quality training, clear goals, and program guidelines to help them succeed.

You can access the entire article here.

Thoughts?