CELS PDI CERTIFIED PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Program Title: Empowered Mentorship: Guiding Growth, Building Bonds, Shaping Leaders

Program Overview

The Certified Peer Mentorship Program equips employees with the skills and structure to serve as effective peer mentors. It fosters a culture of empowerment, belonging, and leadership development by pairing peers for guidance, support, and professional growth. Through training and certification, participants gain tools to lead by example and nurture others toward continued success.

Program Outcomes

• Creates a formal mentorship framework within the organization.
• Builds inclusive peer-to-peer support systems.
• Equips employees with leadership and communication skills.
• Strengthens retention, morale, and culture through empowerment-based mentorship.
• Recognizes certified peer mentors with the CELS PDI credential.

Program Objectives

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the foundations and principles of peer mentorship.
2. Build trust and psychological safety within mentorship relationships.
3. Apply effective communication, listening, and feedback strategies.
4. Use structured goal-setting and problem-solving models with mentees.
5. Recognize and apply DEI principles within mentoring.
6. Support mentees in career growth and resilience-building.
7. Lead by example through mentorship as a form of leadership.
8. Evaluate and reflect on mentorship outcomes for personal and organizational impact.

Program Format

• Duration: 8 Modules + Certification Assessment
• Delivery 1: Virtual, in-person, or blended
• Delivery 2: Hybrid (self-paced online modules + live workshops + reflections)
• Assessment: Peer feedback, reflection journals, mentorship case studies
• Credential: CELS PDI Certified Peer Mentor Certificate

Program Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Peer Mentorship

• Definition, purpose, and impact of peer mentorship
• Role of the mentor vs. coach vs. supervisor
• Establishing trust and psychological safety

Module 2: Effective Communication & Listening

• Active listening skills
• Asking powerful questions
• Giving and receiving feedback constructively

Module 3: Navigating the Mentorship Relationship

• Setting clear expectations & boundaries
• Creating a mentorship agreement/contract
• Goal-setting using SMART and G.R.O.W.T.H. models

Module 4: Empowering Through DEI

• Recognizing and addressing bias
• Fostering belonging and representation
• Practicing cultural intelligence in mentorship

Module 5: Professional & Career Development

• Helping mentees map career paths
• Encouraging resilience and self-advocacy
• Networking and exposure strategies

Module 6: Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking

• Using reflective practice in mentorship conversations
• Empowering mentees to problem-solve
• Mentorship as a driver of innovation

Module 7: Leadership Through Mentorship

• Mentorship as informal leadership
• Building influence without authority
• Modeling professional growth and lifelong learning

Module 8: Wrap-Up & Evaluation

• Reflection on mentorship journey
• Sharing success stories
• Certification assessment (case study + peer review)