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Department of Psychology

Peer Mentorship Program

The goal of our peer mentorship program is to help foster a sense of community and support the success of all students in the department, including first-generation students and students from marginalized groups. Given the Department of Psychology’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and safe environments, we envision a diverse group of mentors and mentees along with training rooted in anti-racism and social justice. Peer mentors enroll in a 1-credit peer mentorship course (PSY 282 Peer Mentoring Preparation), which is required for first-time mentors. The 8-week course includes readings, guidance, and reflection opportunities regarding how to be a supportive mentor and highlights resources helpful for students. In subsequent semester(s), mentors enroll in the out of class peer mentorship experience PSY 292 Peer Mentorship in Psychology. Each peer mentor has a faculty supervisor. Together, they complete a contract form (insert contract link here) prior to being granted an override for registration.

The role of peer mentors is to:

  • Help first-year (and transfer) psychology majors adjust to the major, department and university
  • Support diversity, inclusion, and safe environments, especially for students from marginalized groups
  • Provide information about the department, university, and community
  • Provide basic academic tutoring, study tips, and advising consistent with expertise
  • Provide information about RSOs and campus activities and opportunities for joint involvement
  • Serve as a role model for incoming majors
  • Serve as a referral resource to mentees in need of services beyond the scope of peer mentoring The psychology mentoring program provides opportunities for students to acquire a variety of skills that meet the Psychology Course Objectives

Specifically, the department has agreed that, through the peer mentoring program, students will acquire the following learning objectives:

  • Transfer knowledge from classroom learning and research findings to applied situations (Objective 3.5)
  • Recognize the necessity for ethical behavior in all aspects of the science and practice of psychology (Objective 4.1)
  • Develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving selected career objectives (Objective 5.4)
  • Use information and technology ethically and responsibly (Objective 6.3)
  • Work and communicate effectively and sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds and multicultural perspectives (Objective 8.1)
  • Explain how individual identities influence beliefs, values, and interactions with others and vice versa (Objective 8.3)
  • Relate how privilege, power, and oppression affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequity (Objective 8.4)
  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills (Objective 9.4)
  • Reflect on experience and find meaning in it (Objective 10.1)
  • Demonstrate the application of psychological principles to promote self-improvement (Objective 10.2)
  • Demonstrate appropriate, effective relationships with others in diverse settings, such as work, family, and other social environments (Objective 10.3)
  • Assess personal and professional development with respect to civic, social, and global responsibilities and engagements (Objective 10.4)
  • Display high standards of personal integrity to promote trust with peers and colleagues (Objective 10.5)