Multicultural Student Services hosts three peer mentoring programs for first-year and incoming transfer students.  Open to all students, these programs offer invaluable support to new students as they navigate the transition to UVA.

• APISAA Peer Advising Family Network (PAFN)
• Hispanic/Latinx Peer Mentoring Program (PMP)
• Middle Eastern/North African Mentoring Program (MENAMP)

Peer Mentor Program Goals

• Provide support and introduce new students to resources and services to help them adjust academically and socially to UVA.
• Guide students through their acclimation to UVA and their personal identity and cultural journey
• Provide personal and professional enrichment opportunities for students
• Build a sense of community, connection, and belonging.

Mentee Expectations

• Maintain regular contact with a peer mentor
• Attend academic, personal development, and social workshops
• Complete fall and spring evaluations

Peer Mentor Selection Process

Applications to become a peer mentor for the 2024-25 academic year have closed. Be on the lookout in early Spring 2025 for the 2025-26 academic year mentor application.

Mentor Qualifications

• Rising 2nd, 3rd, 4th year
• Good academic and judicial standing with the University
• Good interpersonal, communication and listening skills
• Ability to empathize and provide academic and personal support to an incoming student
• Desire and interest in helping new students adjust and feel welcomed to the University
• Commitment to investing the time necessary to be an effective mentor

Mentor Commitment & Expectations

1. Attend and actively participate in all mentor training activities.
2. Attend (monthly) in-service / mentor development sessions coordinated by Multicultural Student Services ***Subject to change***.
3. Meet one-on-one with assigned mentees to discuss academic and social adjustment at the university, concerns, and successes as well as provide updates and beneficial information.  Assist mentees with planning academic and personal goals. Specifically, mentors will:

• Meet with mentee(s) twice per month in September and October AND email check-in each week through mid-October; Meet with mentee(s) once per month November - May
• Attend (monthly) success programs with your mentee(s) – coordinated by Multicultural Student Services – approximately three (3) per semester. 

4. Attend the requisite number of socials and programs that are coordinated by the mentoring exec team. Attendance at group events is also required; the executive board for your program will communicate specific expectations regarding group events.
5. Complete monthly contact forms to provide updates to the mentoring exec team regarding your assigned mentee group’s progress.
6. Disseminate all pertinent information and announcements from Multicultural Student Services.  Assist in the advertising and dissemination of information for various programs sponsored by Multicultural Student Services.
7. Participate in an end-of-year assessment