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AOP/HEOP

Peer Assistance Link (PAL) Mentoring Program

Mission & Vision

The PAL Program is a mentoring initiative that connects first-year AOP students with returning AOP students during the mentee’s first year at Union. The PAL mentors serve as social and/or academic supports for students. Through intentional outreach, connection, and resource-sharing, the PAL Program ensures that each first-year student in AOP has a PAL to help them through their first year.

Aspects of the Program

  • PAL mentees and mentors are matched up based on student needs and interests
  • PALs conduct monthly check-ins to assess student progress
  • There are social events held to bring all PALs together at different points during the academic year

Program Information

  • Program Timeline

    Fall term:

    • Information sessions held in the first half of the term
    • PAL matches based on student needs and interests
    • PALs must meet once before the end of the term to establish expectations and goals for the remainder of the year — complete, sign, and submit the PAL Program Contract together

    Winter Term:

    • PAL Program social event to be held during this term
    • Mentor and mentee should each submit monthly check-in logs*

    Spring Term:

    • PAL Program social event to be held during this term
    • Mentor and mentee should each submit monthly check-in logs*

    *All logs and evaluations can be found in the forms section.

  • Mentor Responsibilities
    • Set expectations and goals with your mentee
    • Complete/submit monthly check-in logs to update AOP staff on your progress – monthly check-ins are in-person meetings that are at least 15 minutes in duration
    • Participate in mandatory PAL program events each term
    • Make a good faith effort to get to know and build a relationship with your mentee by checking in and identifying activities on or off-campus that you can enjoy together
    • Communicate with the AOP office if there are any conflicts with your mentee or a lack of connection. Any conflicts will be resolved confidentially, and new mentor/mentee changes will be made.
  • Mentee Responsibilities
    • Set goals and expectations with your mentor
    • Complete/submit monthly check-in logs to update AOP staff on your progress – monthly check-ins are in-person meetings that are at least 15 minutes in duration
    • Participate in PAL Program events each term
    • Make a good faith effort to get to know and build a relationship with your mentor by checking in and identifying activities on or off-campus that you can enjoy together
    • Communicate with the AOP office if there are conflicts with your mentor or lack of connection. Any conflicts will be resolved confidentially, and new mentor/mentee changes will be made.
  • Forms

    PAL Program Contract

    PAL Monthly Check-In Log