Peer Mentor Program
Post by Marcus Spruill
NC State’s peer mentor program is designed to build an early relationship between current NC State students and minority incoming freshman. Incoming freshman are paired with Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors at the beginning of the semester in order for them to help with the transition coming from high school into a major university. Because freshmen typically do not know much about campus during their first few weeks, it is always a good idea to have someone who has been here for a while and knows their way around to show them the ropes. First hand, I have experienced that this program is can be a good thing to a freshman who is very nervous about coming to a school like this. The program also offers different events around campus in order to get to know other mentors and mentees.
One of the programs offered this year by the Peer Mentor Program was the cookout. Early in the semester students got together and cooked out on the grills together in a meet and greet type environment. Another program was the spades tournament that happened this semester.
The duties assigned to a mentor are, but are not limited to, meeting with ones mentee twice a month during fall semester, and once a month during fall semester. (Additional visits are always encouraged of course). They should also participate in all necessary training sessions. It shoul
d not just be the mentor’s job to initiate contact. The mentee should be willing to learn and not be afraid to ask questions when they happen arise. This will make the relationship between the two much better.
