The Center for Multicultural Excellence created the Peer Mentor Program in fall 2015.
Peer mentors are assigned to students, and they can meet anywhere on campus. The have work assigned to get to know mentees and meet with them regularly.
Students can get mentors who have been WSU students for at least one year to support, guide and encourage them throughout the year.
Olga Antonio is the mentor coordinator of the program, who has worked for the center for over a year.
Antonio holds a meeting weekly with her peer mentors to talk about topics such as activities, diversity, reminders, how to guide their mentees and more.
“We want students to connect with their program, professors and (other) students,” Antonio said.
By getting help from their mentors, students can more deeply connect to the university and do better in college. They will gain skills with the knowledge of the mentors and have support to overcome obstacles, achieve goals and, as Antonio said, “We have this program to make the most of their college experience.”
The program provides opportunities for mentees to learn and build meaningful relationships with the community.
Many students do not know how to engage in activities because they do not know where to go to get guidance, whether it’s the start of their first year, or their third year in college.
“A lot of the resources I guide my mentees to are things no one ever told me, so the fact that I did get to tell them — and they learned it earlier in their college career, rather than late like me — is valuable,” Richard Campos said.
Campos, 22, is a senior who is passionate about student affairs. “My motivation to become a mentor was based on the fact that I’ve always wanted to help people,” Campos added.
The goal of the CME Peer Mentor Program is to support students as they navigate campus resources and procedures, connect to peers and WSU and prepare to graduate successfully.
These topics are significant to guide students through their school year.
“Everyone around us is willing to help. Getting a mentor is an amazing thing, and just give it a shot. If you don’t like it, then at least you tried it,” Alexis Frias said. Frias, 23, is a senior studying physics and minoring in math. His motivation to become a mentor was that coming into college was scary, and if it weren’t for those mentors that helped him out, he would not be where he is today.
“Something special about this program is that we have one on ones and group meeting with our mentee’s. We also have a lesson plan that talks about various objectives that we want our mentee’s to get,” said Frias.
Everyone is welcome to join the program. It is a great opportunity whether you are a new college student or about to graduate.
Students can apply and become mentors by simply stopping by the office, room 232D in the Shepherd Union.
