Ms Shawna Hooton1, Mr Arthur Yeow1
1The University Of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
This paper presents a transferrable leadership pipeline framework, based on a case study of International Peer Mentors’ social program – Language and Cultural Engagement (LCE) at The University of Adelaide. The concepts in this paper are a collective contribution to the field, co-presented by a Peer Mentor and International Advisor, in order to demonstrate the ‘Students as Partners’ model and represent the multiplicity of voices acknowledged in the development of this framework. This practical paper includes presenting the progression Peer Mentors make through the pipeline and specific training modules required at each stage. These training modules and peer to peer coaching from Senior Mentors provide scaffolding for Junior Mentors to demonstrate leadership at the LCE flagship events. This method of cascading a social program through semesters, mitigates the instability of Mentors’ departure from the University and the constraints of staffing restructures. LCE employs the ‘Students as Partners’ model to manage six culturally-themed dinner socials each semester. While these popular 150+ guest events are impressive, the unique aspect of this model is the sustainability of the event management as it is handed down from Senior Event Managers to Junior Event Managers seamlessly each year. We use a critical analysis lens to explore challenges associated with the leadership pipeline, including exclusivity, risk mismanagement, and interpersonal conflict. We then examine the systems implemented to overcome these challenges, and possible future outcomes of the leadership pipeline in succession planning.
Biography:
Shawna coordinates the International Peer Mentor program at the University of Adelaide. She is passionate about empowering students to take ownership of the program and loves hearing her Mentors enthusiastically brainstorm ideas and generate new initiatives. With a Masters of Educational Leadership, Shawna continuously seeks growth opportunities and explores collaborations. Most recently this has resulted in a campus wide Peer Mentor Coordinators’ Steering Committee. Coming from the great, white north of Canada, Shawna is still acclimatizing to Vegemite and Christmas in summer.
Arthur is a student undertaking an Honours program at the University of Adelaide. One of his passions is the personal and professional development of students. As the Language and Cultural Engagement Event Manager and subsequently Special Projects Peer Mentor, Arthur works closely with the International Peer Mentor Coordinator with the aim to include student participation in co-creating the program and codesigning strategies for student inclusivity. In his spare time, Arthur likes drowning in coffee.