085: The Champ of Relationship Building with Evan Gray

In this episode of the AV/IT Amplifier, host Ryan Gray speaks with Evan Gray about the importance of peer mentoring in higher education, particularly in online learning environments. Evan shares his journey in developing the Champs Peer Mentoring program at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), emphasizing the need for students to feel a sense of belonging and connection. The conversation covers the evolution of the mentoring program, strategies for recruiting and training mentors, and the future aspirations for enhancing student engagement and support.Peer mentoring is crucial for student success in online education.Building relationships among students fosters a sense of belonging.Data-driven approaches are essential for program development and funding.Creating a community is more effective than one-on-one connections.Understanding student demographics helps tailor support programs.Authenticity in interactions encourages open communication among students.Utilizing technology can enhance student engagement and connection.Mentoring programs can significantly impact retention and graduation rates.Continuous improvement and adaptation are necessary in higher education.Collaboration and sharing best practices among institutions can lead to better outcomes.Sound Bites"Make them tell you no, and put them to a decision.""This is the judgment-free zone for students.""You need to know your students.""It's a zigzag journey, never linear.""We're the relationship center for students.""We have a mobile app coming out for our students."Keywordspeer mentoring, online education, student success, higher education, sense of belonging, UAGC, mentoring program, student engagement, relationship building, adult learnersConnect with Evan:[email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/grayevan/Check out CHAMPS Peer Mentoring:https://www.uagc.edu/student-experience/peer-mentoringConnect with Ryan: https://twitter.com/Ryan_A_Grayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/[email protected]  Follow the Show:https://twitter.com/AVITAmplifierhttp://higheredav.com/ryangray  Voiceovers by Chris Dechter:https://twitter.com/cdechterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cdechter/  Please rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts, feedback is very welcome and we look forward to hearing from you!