The Science Behind: Goal Setting

Goal Setting

Setting Goals With MentorPRO Pays Off in Grades and Well-Being

Hersch, E., Werntz, A., Deng, Y., Jasman, M., & Rhodes, J. E. (2026). Can I help with that? The role of goal setting in a technology-enabled peer mentoring program. Journal of Community Psychology. Advance online publication.

A study of first-year students using MentorPRO found that those who set goals through the platform earned higher GPAs at the end of their first semester. Even after accounting for how often students engaged with the app overall, goal setting remained a significant predictor of academic self-efficacy and life satisfaction. The findings suggest that giving peer mentors a structured, technology-enabled way to support goal setting is a meaningful lever for student success.

The Sweet Spot: Goals and Relationship Together Drive Better Outcomes

Werntz, A., Poon, C. Y. S., & Rhodes, J. E. (2023). Striking the balance: The relative benefits of goal- and youth-focused approaches to youth mentoring relationships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52, 1718–1731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01751-4

A study of 2,165 young people across 30 nationally representative mentoring programs found that mentoring works best when mentors both help mentees set meaningful goals and genuinely attend to their preferences. Mentees in these balanced relationships felt closer to their mentors and showed fewer symptoms of depression and emotional distress at follow-up.