The Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) Leadership module assisting first year students’ transition to higher education at Technological University of the Shannon

Abstract

Peer Assisted Student Support (PASS) has been running at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) since 2009. It is an academic peer learning initiative in which second year students – PASS Leaders – undergo rigorous training to facilitate timetabled study sessions with first year students during semester one. The aim of PASS is to ease first year students’ transition into higher education. PASS Leaders are encouraged to complete a 5-credit module as part of their journey. PASS Leaders are not paid, but they receive a digital badge for PASS Training. The PASS Leadership module, introduced in 2010, aims to develop students’ leadership, communication, and professional development skills through the facilitation of PASS sessions. The module will be critically examined to ascertain its impact on PASS Leaders and first year students. 

Both PASS and the Leadership module have evolved considerably since their introduction due to international events (such as the covid pandemic), reflections on pedagogy, advances in technology and feedback on the module. Adaptations include updating elements of the module, utilising technology, introducing debriefs and practice sessions, and further support for PASS Leaders. The impact of changes to the module on PASS Leaders and first year students will be explored. The paper will conclude with some suggestions about how PASS could be sustained into the future, such as embedding the role of the academic and employing graduate interns. Recommendations for further research at TUS and comparative studies will be proposed.