Why become a peer mentor to another graduate student? For graduate students mentoring a peer provides space to develop your leadership skills, understand your mentoring style, and support a first-year student during their transition to Iowa.
Core skills you will develop include:
Deep knowledge of campus resources: Including health, disability services, academic, teaching and inclusion supports.
Reflection on your own mentoring style: Though special training focused on supporting peers and grad school transitions and mentoring practice.
Insights into being a mentee: Our mentors report insights into how they can best leverage time with their own mentors.
Opportunities to make a difference: In the life of a new graduate student and set the scene for an inclusive and impactful grad school experience.
Mentor Experience
“I remember how difficult it was for me to adjust to a new city and a new department when I first started, so I am glad I can support first-year students in that endeavor and be a safe resource for them to come to with any challenges they may be facing…my experience as a mentor will allow me to be a more effective leader in whatever I choose to do following graduation.”
“The P2P program has helped me gain perspective on the experience of those who come into a PhD program with little knowledge of what it entails…it has also made me a better mentee myself - by knowing what a mentor needs in order to effectively help me, I am better able to communicate with my own mentors what they need to help me.”
Expectations
To participate as a mentor:
- 2nd year or later graduate student in good standing
- Commitment to attend at least 1 mentor training (information will be provided in early summer)
- Ability to attend the meetup on August 20th
- Commitment to mentor at least 1x/month Sept-May*
*Free events and activities will be provided, but mentor pairs can also choose to meet up outside these events.
Sign up to be a mentor
Fill out this quick survey to sign up as a mentor and help us pair you with the right match.