Peer mentoring
A page within Student Support Services
The SSS Peer Mentoring Program assists first-year students new to SSS in their acclimation to college life and learning. They are paired with a continuing SSS student, who they can meet with individually or in groups throughout the semester for advice and coaching in areas such as:
- Identifying and implementing successful study strategies
- Encourage students in their personal adjustment to campus life
- Foster involvement in campus activities
- Directing students to appropriate campus resources
- Identifying effective tools for success
Students who are interested in becoming a coach should see the “Become a Peer Mentor” tab on this web page.
New first-year SSS students wishing to receive a peer coach should speak with your assigned SSS advisor.
Thomas Hall
ESS Sport Management / Business Admin
I am a third-year student majoring in Sports Management and minoring in Theatre and Business Administration. I enjoy meeting new students and supporting them as they transition to college life. I love watching and playing sports, mainly soccer and pickleball.
Amanda Keil
Communications / Psychology
Hello, my name is Amanda, and I am a third-year here at UWL. I’m majoring in communications with a minor is psychology, and in my free time, I like to read, play piano, and hang out with friends. I think SSS has a great atmosphere with a great support system, and I'm excited to meet new people this year!
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Peer Mentoring
Since 2016, TRIO Student Support Services has maintained an outreach program for first-year students new to UWL. Student mentors, who are continuing SSS students, will be paired with several first-year SSS students. The position is paid. There will be training at the start of the academic year and will continue periodically throughout the year. We encourage you to look over the duties and expectations and decide if this is an opportunity for you to pursue.
Qualifications:
- In good academic standing
- Commitment for the entire academic year
- Initiative to work with a variety of students
- Proactive in scheduling meetings and building relationships that encourage student success
- Good communication skills
- A broad knowledge of campus resources
- Adequate time to devote to serving as a peer mentor
Duties:
- Provide individual academic coaching with new SSS first-year students through personalized, individual meetings, online or in person, throughout the academic year
- Assist students in identifying and implementing successful study strategies
- Support students in their academic success by identifying effective success tools
- Help students identify and navigate campus resources
- Encourage students in their personal adjustment to campus life
- Encourage students to explore career development opportunities
- Foster involvement in campus activities & organizations
- Build a relationship with each student you are coaching
- Attend all training sessions provided by SSS staff
Expectations
- Time commitment is 2-3 hours/week
- Meetings with mentored students can be face-to-face or virtual. In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, masks must be worn for all indoor, in-person meetings.
- Maintain accurate and timely records
- Attend onboarding & training as scheduled throughout the academic year
- Be available for weekly drop-in advising hours (1 hour/week) in the First Scholars Living-Learning Community in Laux Hall
- Communicate openly and effectively with program supervisors: Margaret Henning (mhenning@uwlax.edu) and Darlene Geiger (dgeiger@uwlax.edu)
If you wish to pursue being a coach, please complete & submit an application.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please contact Margaret Henning: mhenning@uwlax.edu or 608.785.8536.
