Peer mentors serve to address students’ needs in a variety of areas. For example, at Lehigh University (PA), first-year students are matched with upper class students of the same major and/or college “who have diagnosed disabilities and who have demonstrated leadership capability and proven academic success,” according to their website. "The rationale for matching students in this manner is because upper class students of the same major and/or college have most likely taken the same courses, the same professors, and have experienced the same challenges as the freshman with whom they have been matched.”
First-year students who have participated in the Peer Mentor program and worked with the Office of Disability Support Services “have traditionally performed significantly better than students who have not participated in support services.”
You can find out more here.
Plus, be sure to check out our brand new Peer Mentor Practices: Training, Facilitation & Programming guide to learn how peer leaders can facilitate key connection points to enhance students’ sense of belonging, purpose and persistence to graduation.
