A recent study led by Professor Wang Huiwen from the School of Economics and Management at Beihang University has been published in British Educational Research Journal, a leading international publication in the field of education. The paper, titled "Supporting the supporters: How peer mentoring engagement reduces citizenship fatigue for sophomores in universities," co-authored by Associate Professors Ma Lin, Dong Yanan, and Wu Xin, alongside student Jiang Haowen, offers a theoretical exploration of how peer mentoring programmes drive student development.
The research not only validates the success of Beihang University’s "Mentor Programme" but also provides valuable insights for global higher education systems in fostering student support networks.
Key Insights
Many universities, particularly in China, adopt peer mentoring programmes where sophomores mentor freshmen to help them quickly adapt to university life. However, limited research has explored the effects of such programmes on mentors themselves. This study investigates how mentoring engagement impacts mentors' citizenship fatigue in this context.
The findings reveal that mentors' engagement in peer mentoring programmes at universities enhances their perceived meaningfulness, which reduces citizenship fatigue. Self-disclosure further strengthens this relationship, highlighting the importance of supporting mentors through psychological resources to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of such programmes in higher education.
The study elevates the practical experiences of Beihang University’s "Mentor Programme" to a theoretical framework, shifting the traditional focus from mentees to mentors. It underscores that the programme not only aids mentees but also delivers psychological and behavioral benefits to the mentors themselves. By demonstrating that helping others and self-growth are intrinsically linked, the research paves the way for innovative, student-centered approaches in higher education.
Beihang’s "Mentor Programme"
Launched in 2011 by the School of Economics and Management and expanded university-wide in 2014, the "Mentor Programme" stands as a cornerstone of Beihang University’s "Comprehensive Education" initiative. Over the years, it has impacted tens of thousands of students, creating a robust support system that spans the student lifecycle. At Zhizhen College, for instance, the programme begins building connections as soon as admission letters are sent, with peer mentors guiding 4-5 freshmen through activities like "Mentor Icebreaking" and "Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet," alongside academic and career support.
A notable achievement of the programme is the development of the course "Leadership Development for College Students," spearheaded by teachers Wu Xin, Ma Lin, Xie Yunhui, Dong Yanan, and Xu Linna. Since its introduction in 2020, this course has provided systematic leadership training for new mentors. The team’s dedication to research-driven teaching innovation earned them the Special Award at the 9th Xipu National University Teaching Innovation Competition.
With over a decade of refinement, Beihang’s "Mentor Programme" has emerged as a benchmark for cultivating leadership and collaborative skills among students, offering a pioneering model for ideological and political education in contemporary higher education.
Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.4139
Editor: Lyu Xingyun
