Peer Mentor Program

The Peer Mentor Program is composed of sophomores to seniors at Dominican who are dedicated to being a system of support to incoming freshmen. Outside of just the integrative coaches at Dominican, every freshman also has a Peer Mentor, another student, who they can turn to when they need advice or just need to talk to someone. They are an additional campus resource available to first year students as they begin to acclimate to college and are away from home. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide comfort, advice, and a friend during times of anxiety and changes for a first year student. 

Peer Mentors work throughout the year to best support students. In the beginning of the year, we help run orientation by reaching out to students during the summer to answer any questions and leading our own orientation group during the event. During the fall semester, we help assist an integrative coach with a Navigating College class or work with the Digital Portfolio. For Navigating College, this means helping plan activities for class sessions, answering any questions from students, building relationships with our mentees to offer them any support they may need on campus, and helping to facilitate classes. During the spring semester, we continue to work with our mentees, and while not as involved, we still continue to reach out and offer our support if needed.

 I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I wanted to not only be more involved on campus, but also be someone that others could rely on and go to during a time of great change and unfamiliarity. Being in the freshmen's position not so long ago, I remember how scared and anxious I was during my own first year, and how much having the support of others helped me find my place at Dominican. I wanted to be that sense of comfort and reassurance to others so that they may also adjust and find their own place at Dominican.