Summit Agenda

Full 2020 Summit Program

Round Robin Sessions

One of the defining features of every Peer Tutor and Mentor Summit is a series of interactive Round Robin sessions. These interactive mini-workshops reflect on aspects of our individual work as peer tutors and mentors and connect to the experience of peer educators across DePaul. The goal for each session is to engage your peers in activities and discussions that highlight a variety of mentoring and tutoring ideas, strategies, and techniques to help other peer educators reflect on their own work and see it in this larger context. We encourage you to playfully intersect with this year’s theme, Spotlight on Collaboration, with your topic. Each session runs 15-20 minutes and will likely be repeated.

Here are some examples of how you might connect your session proposal to the theme—you are welcome to think of others, but these might help you as you plan!

Act I: Pre-production

• Writing Your Script: It’s important for actors and directors to follow the script to honor the intention and words of the screenwriter or playwright. How can we craft our tutoring and mentoring “scripts” (whether it’s an agenda for an appointment, work-related record keeping, or a promotional email) that meets the goals of our department and our role? When and how might you need to go off-script?
• Collaborating with Your Co-Stars: No actors—or characters for that matter—can fulfill their role in a story on their own. Who are your co-stars that really make you shine? How do you collaborate to ensure success?
• Getting into Character: An actor has their own methods for understanding and becoming their character. How have you developed into your role as a peer tutor or mentor? What strategies would you recommend to new mentors and tutors? How do you take on your “character” in each scene with a new mentee/tutee?

Act II: Production

• The Rehearsal Process: Before opening night, performers invest months of preparation into rehearsals and multiple takes to get the show just right. How can we best prepare to interact with mentees and tutees and any struggles that might arise? What strategies do you use to connect and build rapport?
• Overcoming Stage Fright: Many famous performers have struggled with stage fright (Barbara Streisand, anyone?). How do you work through nerves and anxiety—your own as well as that of your mentee or tutee—to keep the spotlight on collaboration?
• Managing Production: Producers manage numerous aspects of their work with artists, and often make lists of call times, setlists, props, etc. If you were to make a checklist for tutoring and mentoring, what would be on your list? What are some important items you always remember, either physical or mental?

Act III: Post-production

• It’s a Wrap: Producing an award-winning collaboration is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. Similarly, tutors and mentors may experience burnout. How can we prevent burnout and keep everyone excited for the next creative project?
• Rolling Out the Red Carpet: Stars from every industry and background have walked the red carpet. As tutors and mentors, we often work with students from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and learning styles. How do we roll out the red carpet of Vincentian Hospitality in our work?
• And the Oscar goes to...: Award shows are full of glitz, glam, and thank you speeches. Who would you thank in yours? What important lessons have you learned from your collaborators that should be noted?
• How to Talk to the Paparazzi: How do you advocate for your program and promote your services? Similarly, how do you talk about your role as a tutor and mentor and spotlight the transferable skills you’ve gained?

Round Robin Proposal Support

To help with the Round Robin proposal process, we are offering multiple ways for you to seek support and feedback with developing your proposal. As any peer educator knows, two heads are better than one!

1) Attend a Round Robin Proposal Workshop

Tutors and mentors are invited to attend the scheduled workshops below for support brainstorming, drafting, or revising your proposal. These sessions include a proposal development workshop guiding you through each step of the proposal process followed by open time for individual or group feedback, drafting, and questions.

Workshops are designed to support you at any stage of your writing process, so bring whatever drafts, notes, or even just ideas that you have. The workshops are also a great opportunity to meet other peer tutors and mentors in the DePaul community before the Summit.

Workshops will be held in Lincoln Park Richardson Library, Idea Lab 2 (Room 207) during the following times:

• Friday, November 8, 2019: 2 pm - 4 pm
• Friday, January 17, 2020: 2 pm - 4 pm

Drop ins are welcome during the workshops. Feel free to come by at any point during the workshop and stay for as little or as long as you would like!

2) Request a Round Robin Proposal Workshop for your Program
Tutor or mentor programs are invited to request a workshop for their tutors and mentors. Facilitators will customize the workshop to the needs of the program; we are happy to work with participants on guiding you through any stage of the proposal process and/or to work on proposal brainstorming, development, or revision.

3) Schedule a Writing Center Appointment
Tutors and mentors are encouraged to schedule individual or group appointments at the Writing Center to work on their proposals at any stage of the writing process! Peer writing tutors who have successfully proposed and presented a Round Robin at past Summits are available to work with you. To schedule with an experienced tutor, filter the WQ schedule of available tutors to “Summit Proposal Support.”

Submitting a Round Robin Proposal 

Round Robin proposals are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, February 2, 2020. Please submit your Round Robin proposal online via this website. The Round Robin Committee will be in touch with feedback and next steps.​