Honors College Peer Mentoring Program

Peer Mentoring Objectives

• To enhance group support and community within the Honors College
• To assist new students with transition to UWG
• To encourage mutually beneficial, positive and lasting relationships between students
• To provide peer mentors with opportunities for developing skills in leadership, group facilitation, communication and event-planning
• To enhance mentees’ abilities to interact comfortably with people and groups from diverse backgrounds

Peer Mentor Details

Being a Peer Mentor is a great opportunity for upper division students to serve the Honors College community. Students serving as mentors will receive community engagement hours for their volunteer service. As such, peer mentors are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Participate in a mandatory ½ day training session that will take place at the end of Spring Semester and a refresher training at the beginning of Fall Semester
• Provide a picture and bio to be posted on the Honors College Website
• Introduce yourself to your mentees prior to Fall Semester
• Attend the Welcome Activities and Honors College Cookout before Fall classes begin to meet your mentees
• Meet with mentees as a group at least 3 times each semester and help facilitate student involvement in and the planning of Honors College/Honors Council community engagement and social events
• Maintain an open line of communication throughout the semester with mentees
• Remind students about upcoming events and encourage students to attend programs sponsored by the Honors College and/or Honors Council
• Refer students to campus resources
• Log all contact dates you have with your mentees using the student contact form
• Meet with the Honors College Advisor once a month before or after the designated Monday Night Honors events.
• Attend Monday Night Honors events at 5pm; plan at least one Popcorn and Conversation series topic with Mentoring Group

Peer Mentor Application

All applicants must have completed at least 30 credit hours and be in good academic standing in the Honors College to be considered for the positions of Peer Mentor.  If you are unsure of your Honors College Standing, please email honors@westga.edu.  

Application open each Spring for Peer Mentors.

What is the time commitment?

• The Honors College requires peer mentors to take part in a mandatory training in the summer, Honors Orientation in August, and monthly training sessions throughout the year. Mentors are expected to hold meetings with mentees at least 3 times per semester and attend Honors College programming regularly.

How often do I contact my mentees?  

• Mentors need to contact mentees on a regular basis, preferably bi-weekly. However, mentors are encouraged to refrain from overwhelming their mentees by contacting them too often.  

Can I collaborate with another mentor group?  

• Yes! Collaboration is encouraged, but both mentors and mentees need to consent to the collaboration prior to the meeting and plan accordingly.

My mentee isn’t responding, what do I do?  

• Mentors should allow a reasonable amount of time for the mentee to respond to any communication (about a week). If a mentee is not attending meetings or responding to outreach messages for the first half of the semester, reach out to the Director of the Honors College for assistance.

Who do I contact if there is an issue with a mentee?  

• Mentors are encouraged to communicate in a healthy and respectful manner with all members of the campus community. However, if problems cannot be resolved within the partnership, mentors should notify Ms. Blair Watkins, Director of the Honors College, immediately.

Are transfer students permitted to be mentors?

• Yes! Transfer students can be mentors after their first year.

Can you be a peer mentor more than once?  

• Yes! Peer mentors in good status are encouraged to return as mentors.  

Leadership Skills

• Being a  peer mentor helps you develop leadership skills by guiding others. You learn to inspire, organize events and group activities, and take responsibility in a collaborative setting.

Communication Skills

• Mentoring improves your ability to clearly express ideas, listen actively, and adapt your communication style to different people. You gain confidence presenting information and facilitating group discussions.

Time Management

• Balancing mentoring responsibilities with your own coursework strengthens your time management and organizational skills. You also reinforce effective study habits by helping others learn.

Stronger Connections with Professors

• Mentoring helps build meaningful relationships with professors and opens doors to new opportunities. These connections can support your career and goals well beyond graduation.

Students are assigned to mentoring groups with students with similar majors or majors within the same college.

Once paired, students will be provided with the name of their mentor.  Before arriving on campus, students will receive an introduction email from their mentor and will have an opportunity to meet with their mentor at the Honors College Cookout before classes begin in August.

Throughout the academic year, there will be many opportunities for students to engage with their mentoring group through small group meetings and other Honors College meetings and events.  We hope this program will allow students the opportunity to ask questions, meet new friends, get involved, build connections, and start to become part of the Honors College community of scholars.   

 

How will I be selected into a group or assigned as a mentor?  

• Mentees are generally assigned mentors based on their majors. However, the mentor’s major may not always completely align with your program of study. The mentor will still be knowledgeable about UWG’s campus resources and can direct you to the right place.

How can an Honors College mentor support me throughout my first year at UWG?  

• A peer mentor supports the transition to the Honors College and UWG life, providing resources to help mentees succeed. Since your mentor is also a student, they can draw from their own personal experiences that can help with the transition of your first year at UWG.

What happens if I change my major?  

• The mentee will remain with their original assigned mentor.  

How many meetings do I have to attend?  

• Mentees are required to meet with peer mentors for the required amount per the Honors College Peer Mentor Program expectations. These meetings do not count towards the required events for Academic or Career Enrichment. Please refer to the Honors College Handbook for more information.

Do mentor meetings count as Honors College events? 

• No, each student still must attend Honors College approved events outside of peer mentoring sessions to fulfill the semesterly requirements. Please refer to the UWG Honors College Handbook for more details.

How will meetings be scheduled?  

• Mentors and mentees will discuss the best meeting times for everyone’s schedules.  

What happens if I can’t make a meeting? 

• Be sure to let your mentor know as soon as possible. They might be able to arrange another meeting with you.

How many meetings will take place each semester? 

• Your mentor will schedule at least 3 meetings in accordance with the Honors College Peer Mentor Program expectations. Please view the Honors College Handbook for the current requirements, and check with your peer mentor to ensure you are updated on the meeting schedule.

What are resources for first-year students? 

• There are a wide variety of campus resources available for first-year students to fulfill your needs. For the full list, visit https://www.westga.edu/administration/provost/first-year-studentresources.php

Are Honors College mentees only first-year students?  

• Mentees are typically first-year students. After the first year, mentees will be assigned an Honors faculty mentor to consult and regularly meet with.
   

Improved Academic Success

• Students with peer mentors typically earn better grades in the first semester compared to those without mentors.

Increased Sense of Belonging

• Peer mentors help students feel more connected to their classmates, instructors, and the broader university community.

Emotional Support

• Peer mentors are also students, so they tend to be more approachable, making it easier to seek advice and emotional support.

Higher Persistence

• Students with peer mentors are more likely to continue their studies, with even stronger impacts for first-generation students.