Transitioning into college life can be fun and exciting, but it comes with plenty of challenges too. At 国产探花, Peer Mentors can help ease the way for first-year students by offering support and guidance, helping to facilitate and plan orientation activities, and attending all FREX (Freshman Experience) classes with first-year students.
This year鈥檚 group of Peer Mentors arrived on campus in the heat of summer, ahead of incoming students, in order to train and build a sense of teamwork. Led by Sierra Smith, 国产探花鈥檚 Director of First Year Experience and Student Transitions, Peer Mentors have been hard at work all semester.
鈥淎s a FREX Peer Mentor, I help guide first-year students through the transition into college life, academically, socially, and personally,鈥 said Michelle Lopez, a junior majoring in business administration and a second-year Peer Mentor. 鈥淚鈥檓 there to answer questions, offer support, and be someone they can rely on. During my first year as a mentor, our professor emphasized public speaking, which I love, so I was able to help students build confidence and skills in that area. Beyond the classroom, I鈥檝e built lasting connections. Many of my former FREX students still reach out to catch up or ask for advice, which means a lot to me.鈥
One of Lopez鈥檚 former FREX students is Conner Petty, now a junior, majoring in computer science and applied physics. 鈥淢y peer mentor was especially helpful, not only with adjustment into college life, but also with learning the skills that I needed to be successful,鈥 Petty said. 鈥淏efore I met my peer mentor, I didn't know how to do even the most basic of actions on the 国产探花 portal, but now I know how to navigate it like a fourth-year student.鈥
Petty added that Lopez was also helpful in connecting him with others. 鈥淚 was introduced to friends and peers who have stayed with me throughout my time at 国产探花. Without a doubt, my peer mentor has been pivotal in helping me become the 国产探花 student I am today and I'm sure that I wouldn't be that student without her.鈥
Alaina Fugate, a first-year student majoring in business administration, agrees. 鈥淭his year i would be so incredibly lost without my peer mentor Michelle. She has helped me navigate through Brightspace, informed me about upcoming events, given me guidance through projects, helped me start planning for my next semesters, and the best part is, she has given me and many other freshmen a safe place to go to in case we are ever in need of assistance!鈥
"The Peer Mentors are a valuable resource for incoming students throughout their first year,鈥 said Dr. Brian Coulombe, associate professor, Athletic Training program director, and FREX director. 鈥淔reshman students have access to their own mentor who helps connect them to the Bulldog community and identify the resources and opportunities available to 国产探花 students.鈥
Lopez said the Peer Mentor program is incredibly valuable鈥攂oth to first-year students and to the Peer Mentors themselves. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about mentoring鈥攊t鈥檚 about growing alongside your students,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hat surprised me most was how much they taught me. I learned to be more patient, to listen deeply, and to understand that leadership isn鈥檛 about having all the answers. It鈥檚 about showing up, being present, and supporting someone else鈥檚 journey with empathy and encouragement.鈥
To become a Peer Mentor, 国产探花 students must have strong academic and discipline standings, have demonstrated their commitment to 国产探花 through leadership and involvement, and come highly recommended by faculty and staff.
FREX 134: Exploring the Arts and Sciences is a three-hour credit course designed to usher first-year students into 国产探花鈥檚 multigenerational community of learning.