PEER MENTORING & PEER LED PROGRAMS
The University of Arizona has a variety of peer mentoring and peer led programs, supervised by professional staff members, all across campus. As a student, you are able to review many of the programs we have available and choose one that best aligns with the experience you want to have your first year.
Peer mentoring and peer led programs are opportunities for incoming students to connect with fellow Wildcats in navigating the institution, building your community, and creating your campus network. You have the option to connect with your college or major, build community with other Wildcats who share similar identities, or connect with peers on shared interests.
Students who participate in a peer mentoring or peer led programs are more likely to persist to their second year than their peers who do not participate in a program.
ASEMS Peer Mentoring
STEM MAJOR | IDENTITY SPECIFIC | FIRST-YEAR & TRANSFER STUDENTS
The Arizona Science, Engineering, and Math Scholars (ASEMS) program focuses on promising students who are underrepresented in STEM, especially students who are first in their family to attend college, from low-income households, who transferred from a community college, and from underrepresented groups. Our peer mentors share their personal journeys and discuss culturally responsive opportunities to support scholars in STEM fields as they transition into the University of Arizona.
Blue Chip Leadership
Open to all students | Any class standing
Blue Chip Leadership members build community by meeting other Arizona Wildcats, getting involved, and making a difference. Blue Chip members learn through service, build transferable skills, and prepare as professionals through hands-on classes, events, and service experiences.
College Navigators Mentorship Program (CNMP)
Identity specific | All Class Standings
ISRC College Navigator Mentorship Program supports students of DACA, undocumented, immigrant, and refugee backgrounds and establish a stronger community at the UA. The ISRC CNMP supports students’ and families’ interests in and navigation of college and post-college endeavors through ISRC’s 6 areas of support, empowers students with their own narratives to navigate their educational experiences, and centers health and wellness, building community and fostering belonging.
Culturally Specific Mentoring
Merge culture, identity, and academic support through classes and peer mentoring. First year students seeking a culturally enriching experience who identify as African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx/Chicanx, Native American/American Indian, or multiracial are able to participate in our Cultural Communities.
Eller College of Management Leadership Programs
COLLEGE SPECIFIC | FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
Through hands-on learning, supportive cohorts, and engaged peers, Eller First Year students are able to get involved and jump start their professional development. The Eller College offers a variety of peer-led leadership development programs so that all first year students in the college can find community and build their network. First Year Eller students are encouraged to apply and #BearDownSuitUp!
First Cats
IDENTITY SPECIFIC | FIRST & SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS
Focused on the first-generation college student experience, we support students who are in their first-year getting used to campus all the way through their senior year preparing to graduate. We are here for every step of your Arizona journey, and we look forward to welcoming you into the First Cats community!
Peer mentoring is shown to have a positive impact on the student experience; students involved are more likely to have better grades, stay at the University of Arizona, and graduate.
Fostering Success
Population specific | All class standings
UA Fostering Success is a program for students who have experienced the foster care system, housing insecurity or homelessness, or participated in Youth On Their Own. We offer support and community among students with similar lived experiences. We have student staff who were also program members that are now student support and network development coordinators that help to build connections in and beyond the program, navigate the university and support your journey in earning your degree.
New Start Summer Bridge Program
Open to all May 2024 high school graduates attending UArizona fall 2024
For over 50 years, the New Start Summer Program has been offering new Wildcats the opportunity to get a head start on their college degree. New Start is a 6-week summer bridge program, built on a foundation of peer mentoring, that offers students the opportunity to take their first university course, live in a residence hall and connect with hundreds of other incoming freshmen. By the time you start school in the fall, you'll feel like a sophomore.
Application deadline: May 15, 2024
Peer Mentoring Connections
Open to all students | All class standings
Peer mentoring is at the center of the work we do in Thrive Center. Mentoring is a great way to connect with other students, learn tips and tricks from others who have been in your shoes, build community with other students, and find your place at the University of Arizona.
New: specific peer mentoring communities for computer science and pre-pharmacy majors. These are in collaboration with your college!
Physiology Peer Mentor Program
MAJOR SPECIFIC | FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
This program aims to support the personal and academic growth and success of first-year students majoring in physiology during a critical time in their educational journey and provide Junior and Senior mentors the opportunity to engage in a professionally guided leadership experience that will add in-demand transferable skills to their academic and professional portfolios.
S.A.L.T. Center Peer Mentors
MUST BE ENROLLED WITH THE SALT CENTER | FEE ASSOCIATED
The SALT Center Peer Mentors are students enrolled in the SALT Center who are available to current SALT Center students and can help you find resources, explain how to use the SALT Center's services, and get you connected to activities at the SALT Center and around campus. We also have a variety of activities and workshops throughout the semester and a drop-in table daily for any questions you may have. Let your SALT Center student support specialist know if you would like to be connected with a peer mentor.
School of Government & Public Policy – Peer Mentor Program
MAJOR SPECIFIC | FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
The SGPP Peer Mentors assist our freshmen and transfer students with the transition to the University of Arizona; they assist with new student orientation and transfer socials, plan events for SGPP students, and play a role in recruiting students from the local community colleges and high schools.
There are peer mentoring programs available to students based on their college, major, interests or specific identities.
The A Center Peer Mentors
Major specific | First-year students
As an incoming first-year student in The A Center, you may have the opportunity to connect with a peer mentor from The A Center. These peer mentors work with students in our TLS 100 course, and they are trained to assist you with the transition to university life.
Transfer Cats
Open to all incoming transfer students
Students transferring into the University of Arizona from a community college or other four-year institution are a vibrant part of our Wildcat community. With some college experience already a part of your journey, we aim to connect you with a transfer mentor who has been on campus and can provide you UA tips, support you in applying for internships and research opportunities, and connection to our Transfer Student Center.
TRIO Student Support Services: Teacher Prep
Major & population specific | All class standings
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)-Teacher Prep Program (referred to SSS-Teacher Prep) is a federally funded program by the U.S. Department of Education that holistically supports our undergraduate students in order to increase our graduation rates and teacher workforce. We work in supporting students who are first-generation college students, low-income, or have a documented disability.
TRIO Student Support Services: Traditional Program
Population specific | First & second-year students
TRiO is a national program with a branch on the UArizona campus. It was designed to increase the college persistence and graduation rates of first-generation college students, those from low-income households, and students with disabilities. The program supports undergraduate students through graduation and provides community, individualized educational and co-curricular plans, some technology devices, and graduate or professional school application support.
W.A. Franke Honors College - Partnerships Through Honors (PATH)
COLLEGE SPECIFIC | ALL GRADE LEVELS
PATH is the Franke Honors College peer mentorship program. First-year students are matched with an experienced mentor who can answer questions and provide support. PATH’s unique matching process pairs students based on identities, academic interests, and goals – connecting mentees to both an ideal mentor and fellow mentees with similar plans.
Arizona Online - Mentor Cats
ARIZONA ONLINE LEARNERS | UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE STUDENTS
Mentor Cats is an exciting new mentoring program for Arizona Online undergraduate and graduate students who want to connect with fellow online learners! You will be matched with a mentor who offers guidance as you acclimate to life as a student, and they will assist you in navigating college as a fully online learner. You will be able to easily connect with your mentor virtually by text, phone, email, or virtual meeting platform. To learn more or to sign up as a mentor or mentee, visit our website.