By Zoe Lance
A聽peer mentor at 海角社区CI is someone who serves in the spirit of community-building, during a formative time in people鈥檚 lives. They鈥檙e someone who has learned a thing or two about being a student and wants to share their newfound wisdom with those who might need a spark of it. And most importantly, they鈥檙e a friend 鈥� someone you can lean on when you need some help, who makes you feel like you belong.
Across the University, a network of peer mentoring roles in the Divisions of Academic and Student Affairs helps students navigate the 鈥渉idden curriculum鈥� of being a college student 鈥� how to find resources, understand procedures and ask for help. There are hundreds of students serving in these roles, and the largest part of the network lies in Peer Education and Equity Programs (PEEP).
鈥淧eer mentors provide a support structure. They are able to connect with their peers on a completely different level,鈥� said聽 Associate Vice Provost for Student Success & Community Engagement Amanda Quintero, Ph.D. 鈥淭he magic sauce of peer mentoring at 海角社区CI is the incredible training and investment in the leadership capacity of our students. Our mentors have the skills and confidence to facilitate group activities inside and outside of the classroom, which promotes student success strategies and engages everyone in a successful pathway to graduation.鈥�
Vice President for Student Affairs, Richard Yao, Ph.D., echoes that sentiment.
Peer mentors provide a support structure. They are able to connect with their peers on a completely different level.
聽Amanda Quintero
鈥淥ne of the most beautiful things about peer mentorship is that mentors touch the lives of potentially 15 to 25 students. And if we have 50 or more mentors who interact with 15 or 25 students, it has a ripple effect,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 truly believe that our peer mentors fully grasp the magnitude of that task and the opportunity.鈥�
Sally Fernandez, Angela Christopher and Katherine Martinez have all participated in one of 海角社区CI鈥檚 peer mentoring programs 鈥� as a mentor, mentee and sometimes both. All three students count the programs as powerful, transformative experiences.
Finding a voice
Fernandez, a third-year Sociology student, learned about PEEP in her first semester. In a first-year seminar course, a peer mentor helped her work through a rough transition. His dedication inspired her to become a mentor herself.
鈥淧EEP definitely shaped my experience at 海角社区CI for the better because I have been able to use my voice to help others,鈥� Fernandez said. 鈥淥ne day, my mentees can find their own voice in the way that I was able to find mine through this experience.鈥�
University Experience Associates like Fernandez focus on first-year students and their transition from high school to university life. When their mentees need some extra help that a campus service can provide, mentors make references. Through PEEP, Fernandez has felt empowered in her own education.
鈥淭he main thing I learned about myself through being a mentor was that I, too, could be a leader and example for first-year students 鈥� that if I, as a Latina, first-generation college student can make it, they can too,鈥� Fernandez said.
Finding a place
Throughout her time at 海角社区CI, Christopher has participated in several peer mentoring programs across campus. She remembers being welcomed by Housing & Residential Education鈥檚 POD Squad, a team of students who assist new residents during move-in weekend. That connection made her feel at home.
The fourth-year psychology student found another mentoring program later in her time at 海角社区CI. As a Wellness Promotion & Education peer educator, Christopher presents at a variety of educational presentations and workshops, on topics like healthy eating and stress management. This work, coupled with a term as Student Government鈥檚 Senator of Wellness and Recreation, helped her find her niche.
鈥淧eer mentoring programs are so important to have, because it helps students find their place,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really needed to find my place, and if I hadn鈥檛 found the POD Squad, Student Government, or Wellness Promotion & Education, I don鈥檛 think I would have stayed at 海角社区CI.鈥�
After being both a mentor and mentee, Christopher is now considering extending her educational path.
鈥淭he peer educator position helped me crystallize what educational leadership was, and how majoring in psychology would help me find a career in higher education,鈥� Christopher said. 鈥淏eing able to interact with students that have different perspectives and backgrounds has been really helpful.鈥�
Finding a dream
As a University Culture Student Engagement and Outreach Mentor with PEEP, Martinez has both on and off-campus roles. She could be hosting a self-care workshop for current students one day and giving a presentation on college applications at a local high school the next.
鈥淥ne thing that I learned about myself through my role is my love for presenting and engaging with community members,鈥� the fourth-year sociology student said. 鈥淚 have realized that I want to continue working in higher education. I am a first-generation college student, so being able to help other students is a dream come true.鈥�
In 2017, Martinez took a Peer-To-Peer Effectiveness seminar, which taught her about the theories of student development, active learning and lesson planning. In the course, she learned about student jobs with PEEP. Through helping her peers, she鈥檚 been able to take advantage of the breadth of University resources.
鈥淭his position has allowed me to be aware of the amazing things offered on campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have attended more events, utilized the library more, and used my knowledge to help other students navigate their way around our campus.鈥�
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漏聽Fall聽2018 / Volume 22 /Number 02聽/ Bi-annual