What is the peer mentoring program?

The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Peer Mentoring Program provides support to new students during their first semester at ¶¶Òõ̽̽. Mentors are returning ¶¶Òõ̽̽ students who are also registered with SAS. The mentors provide a source of support, guidance, and information to their mentees. Pairing a new student with a mentor creates a personal connection for new students early on and facilitates more connections to interest groups, events, activities, and support resources on campus.

First-year Students may:

  • Need different skills and knowledge than they needed in high school
  • Not recognize when they need help
  • Be uncomfortable asking for help
  • Not know the resources available to them

The SAS Peer Mentoring Program hopes to assist in these areas and allow new students to feel more welcome and connected to the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ campus.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM?

Benefits to Mentees:

  • An early connection to ¶¶Òõ̽̽
  • Access to information
  • Additional support and guidance from peers
  • Decreased anxiety about transition to college
  • Opportunity for increased accountability

Benefits to Mentors:

  • Opportunity to share expertise about the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ campus and community
  • Leadership development experience
  • Resume building
  • Various incentives provided by SAS

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WHAT WILL I DO AS A PARTICIPANT?

  • The first month of the semester, mentors and mentees will meet once per week
  • After the first month, mentors and mentees will meet twice monthly (or more if you want to)
  • Mentors and mentees will attend at least one activity together
  • Mentors and mentees will maintain confidentiality

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HOW DO I JOIN?

Mentees
Complete the
Contact SAS.PeerMentoring@uvm.edu with any questions.

Mentors
Every spring, SAS emails all students active with accommodations inviting them to apply to become a SAS Peer Mentor for the following academic year. Successful applicants complete a training prior to being paired with a mentor. Contact SAS.PeerMentoring@uvm.edu with any questions.

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