Student Leaders’ Perceptions of Peer Mentoring in an Inclusive Campus Organization - JCAPS Vol. 8 Issue 2

Peer mentors facilitate access and social integration for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in inclusive postsecondary programs. There is limited research regarding how these experiences are shaped within student-led campus activities rather than a formal staff-facilitated mentorship structure. This study used a multi-year survey to explore how two cohorts of college student leaders in a registered student organization (N = 69) perceived the personal, professional, and relational impact of their peer mentoring roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mentors reported high levels of perceived impact in the areas of interpersonal connection, advocacy, and personal development. Mentors described their relationships with students with IDD in ways that reflect elements of friendship, while noting tensions with role expectations and boundaries. These findings suggest that student-led mentoring organizations may serve as unique contexts for co-curricular engagement and leadership development. Implications are discussed for campus activities professionals and university staff.