Program Expectations: Matched Academic Mentoring

What is Matched Academic Mentoring?

Matched Academic Mentoring provides unstructured learning opportunities in a small group setting for eligible students in select courses. This program is intended to supplement the other forms of support the Learning Center offers for foundational courses, such as PLTL, RPM, and Drop-in Academic Mentoring.

MAM is not:

• One-on-one support. While most groups start off as 1:1 meetings, they can grow to accommodate 2-4 students by the end of the semester.
• On-demand tutoring. MAM groups meet once a week, at a fixed, pre-determined time and location. Additional or rescheduled weekly sessions are only available in exceptional circumstances, and must be pre-approved by Learning Center staff.
• A substitute for attending class. MAMs do not have the time or training to offer instructor-level support. Weekly MAM sessions are meant to supplement the learning that takes place in the classroom and through independent work.

Expectations for Mentees:

• Consistent attendance: Once matched, mentees will make every reasonable effort to attend all weekly help sessions for the entire scheduled time. If a mentee is unable to attend due to an emergency or other compelling conflict, they will notify their mentor or Learning Center staff as far in advance as possible.
• Timely communication: Mentees will respond to electronic communications from their mentor and from Learning Center staff in a timely manner. All communication from MAM coordinators, including initial match notifications, will be conducted via WashU email. It is important that you check your email regularly. 
• Preparedness: Mentees should come to weekly sessions prepared with questions or topics for discussion. These sessions are meant to be collaborative; your mentor and fellow mentees are attending to work with you, not to teach at you.
• Respectful behavior: Mentees are expected to treat their peers with kindness, value all group members’ contributions, and respect their boundaries.

Expectations for Mentors:

• Timely communication: Mentors should reply to all communications from mentees and program staff within 24 business hours.
• Consistent availability: Once a MAM group settles on a meeting time, the mentor is expected to be available at the agreed-upon time and location every week for the full semester (save for university breaks or holidays), barring any emergencies or other compelling, unavoidable conflicts. Any conflicts should be communicated to program staff and mentees as far in advance as possible, and mentors are expected to make every reasonable effort to reschedule any cancelled sessions.
• Competence: Mentors are expected to remain knowledgeable about the course(s) they are supporting and keep up with any changes to the course content or structure. They should be able to confidently answer most mentees’ questions and should primarily rely on other course or university resources (rather than third-party resources or generative AI) to address any gaps in their knowledge.
• Professionalism: Mentors should arrive to sessions on time and prepared to work, treat all group members with respect, and maintain appropriate boundaries with mentees.

 

If you are participating in this program and you feel that any member of your group (mentor or mentee) is not adhering to the expectations stated above, please inform program staff by emailing us at tlc-mam@wustl.edu. We are committed to helping all MAM participants have the best possible experience, and we will promptly address any communication, participation, or facilitation concerns that are brought to our attention.

Mentors or mentees who do not meet the expectations outlined above may be un-matched with their mentor or otherwise removed from the program.