Latinos in Higher Education: An Evaluation of a University Faculty Mentoring Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the student-faculty mentoring process and how mentoring facilitates Latino students' adjustment to college. Thirty-two Latino students participating in a university Faculty Mentoring Program (FMP) were surveyed. The findings showed that (a) students experienced an increase in college self-efficacy and academic goal definition as a result of participating in the FMP; (b) students with same-ethnic mentors perceived them to be significantly more supportive in furthering their personal and career development and reported significantly greater program satisfaction than nonmatched students; and (c) frequency of student-mentor contact was positively correlated with students' adjustment to college, perceived mentor supportiveness, and program satisfaction.