Peer Mentors

Dean of Students

All new students are paired with an experienced upper-level student to support their transition to life at Salve. In collaboration with the Salve Compass program, the Dean of Students Office ensures that each incoming student has a peer they can turn to as they navigate their first year at Salve.

Peer mentors are experienced sophomores, juniors and seniors who are matched with a First Year Compass Studio section. They attend weekly class sessions and co-facilitate activities with the section's Compass advisor.

Peer mentors begin connecting with students during New Seahawk Orientation, meeting students alongside their orientation leader and leading their group during Day of Service. In addition to attending each class session and supporting aspects of New Seahawk Orientation, peer mentors meet individually with each of their students to check in, connect them to resources, provide guidance and insights, and serve as a listening ear.

Peer Mentors receive comprehensive training that builds skills in interpersonal relationships and classroom management, and that develops knowledge of campus resources and support systems. New peer mentors receive additional training through Peer Mentor Practicum, a one-credit course taken in the fall semester. The course continues to build professional skills and provides opportunities for reflection and meaning making.

Learning Outcomes

By having a peer mentor in their studio classroom and meeting with them individually, new students will:

  • Use various campus resources to have a positive, enjoyable and educational experience at Salve, both inside and outside the classroom.
  • Develop strong connections with the Salve community and build a robust support network, ultimately establishing a sense of belonging at Salve.
  • Have a trusted upper-level peer they can rely on for holistic support and/or referrals.

Through their experience as peer mentors, students will:

  • Gain an understanding of and apply life design principles to their work mentoring students and to their personal and professional life.
  • Develop, utilize and articulate professional skills, including public speaking, written and oral communication, time management, conversation facilitation and classroom management.
  • Identify the characteristics of a meaningful and appropriate mentor/mentee relationship, putting those characteristics into place in their work with their own students.
  • Gain an understanding of and explain various campus resources and support systems, and infer from students’ expressed needs which resources would be most appropriate to connect them with.

For questions about the peer mentor program, or to inquire about the application process, please contact Lizzie Dunsmore, program manager for student leadership development.