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The benefits of in-class (embedded) peer mentors are well-documented, and successful peer mentoring is often linked to training. However, formal training programs can be costly to universities, and those hoping to establish a peer mentoring program may be discouraged by resource-intensive training demands. This article provides a how-to guide for training peer mentors that mitigates financial costs by proposing an experiential, shadow-based model of peer mentor training. Focusing on practical strategies based on real-life experience of the co-authors (five of whom are peer mentors), we highlight methods to achieve successful peer mentoring in the areas of rapport-building, modeling behaviors, effective questioning, and targeted experience sharing. We likewise offer recommendations for adapting these strategies to alternative modalities (including blended, remote synchronous, and competency-based classes). Our aim is to empower individual instructors and departments to implement peer mentoring programs regardless of financial exigencies.

Keywords: peer mentors, training, blended learning, competency-based education, student leaders

The purpose of this qualitative, case study was to explore how interactive use of social media influenced first-year college students’ decision to attend a four-year private Christian college in the southwestern United States. This study used college choice research and relationship marketing for the theoretical foundation. Two research questions guided data collection and focused on how college students use social media during their college decision making process and on how university-employed marketing staff use social media to influence first year students’ college choice decisions. Sixty-five students completed the questionnaire. Twelve students participated in semi-structured interviews, and seven university-employed marketing staff participated in a focus group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis using initial and axial codes. Four themes emerged from data and are discussed in this study.

Keywords: social media; college; higher education marketing; college search; university

As volunteer workers are large contributors to the economy, it is important to understand what motivates people to volunteer. This literature review shows the research that has been conducted over the past several decades regarding the motivations of volunteers. Much research is focused on the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI), which has shown volunteer motivations to be divided into two categories: altruistic and egotistic. Subcategories were created within these categories to understand volunteer motivations further: values, enhancement, understanding, career, social, and protective. Based on this literature review, the values function appears to be the most common function for volunteer motivations, both inside and outside religious settings. Further qualitative research is needed to understand why people choose to participate in volunteer labor and if religion affects the motivation to volunteer. 

Keywords: volunteerism, Volunteer Functions Inventory, motivations, retention

Urban congregations often reflect the diversity of the surrounding communities. Such diversity includes race, ethnicity, and class. Diversity not only presents within the community, but manifests within local congregations. This diversity poses specific challenges for urban church leaders attempting to integrate these local congregations. Considering diverse congregations and the challenges within, the researcher conducted a qualitative study to determine the urban church leaders’ use of dialogue as an implement of integration. The study data suggested the urban church leader does not merely use dialogue as a practice and methodology for integration. Instead, urban church leaders complement dialogical practices and methodologies incorporating a complete dialogical orientation within the urban church leadership and congregational structures. Building on the foundation of this study, future studies and considerations may include further inquiry into dialogical urban ministry and the benefits of dialogical theory and practice within ministry preparation. Furthermore, additional studies may include the intersection of dialogue in organizational orientations with urban church leadership.  

Keywords: city, urban church leaders, dialogue, urban ministry, Theory U

Dominique Adkins, Alexandra Lawless, Tracey Adams, Starla Huckeba, Melissa Jackson, LaTonya Adams Dingle, Melanie E. Morris

Society has transitioned the community of academia into the context of an advanced technological distance domain due to the growing needs of learners and the worldwide pandemic. Little is known about the factors facilitating the preparation and training of distance learning pedagogy in Counselors Education and Supervision (CES). Kolb’s Theory of Experiential Learning was utilized in this literature foundation to examine CES doctoral learners’ academic and pedagogical development while navigating through the four stages of development. The concrete experiences, reflective observations, abstract conceptualizations, and active experimentation, facilitating preparation and training in pedagogy in CES distance learning were reviewed. A discussion of current trends and findings regarding distance learning and pedagogy were reviewed from the counselor education lens. Future research suggestions and recommendations for the preparation and training of distance learning pedagogy in Counselor Education and Supervision were provided.

    Keywords: Counselor Education & Supervision, pedagogy, distance learning, Kolb’s Theory