For Incoming Students:

During the summer, incoming first-year and transfer students will have the opportunity to opt in to be matched with an advisor.

Established in 1999, the Hispanic/Latinx Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) was created to provide transitional support to incoming first year and transfer students, with a focus on those who identify as Hispanic/Latinx. Experienced students provide guidance, helping mentees navigate UVA and build community. While rooted in this mission, PMP is open to all students seeking mentorship and support.

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About

The Hispanic/Latinx Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) is designed to support the transition of incoming students. Student mentors, drawing on their own experiences at UVA as well as their training, offer valuable guidance and support to help new students navigate their academic, social, and personal transitions. While rooted in this mission, PMP is open to all students seeking community, mentorship, and support.

PMP is a student-led initiative, professionally coordinated by Multicultural Student Services (MSS). Students, with their experience, care, and commitment, are at the heart of the program. MSS provides professional oversight by managing the program’s infrastructure, selection process, training, and ongoing support. The professional staff also offer guidance on program development and ensure that PMP aligns with the broader mission of fostering community, mentorship, and student success.

Altogether, there are four PMP familias, each led by an executive board member and consisting of about 20-25 mentors. Mentors are approachable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable about University resources, and genuinely committed to helping others.  PMP is an excellent opportunity to meet people, build community, and have fun.

Program Philosophy

Research and experience show that students perform better when they feel truly connected to a college community—a connection that can be a challenge for many new students.

For Latinx/Hispanic students, the importance of family and, often, language, can be leveraged to create a "familia" away from home. This network of support fosters both a higher quality of life and academic success. With a Peer Mentor and other forms of support, students no longer have to feel like just one person lost among 17,000 undergraduates.

The PMP Experience

The program thrives to create an experience that is both personal and enriching for each mentee. By creating small familias based on common interests each mentee can benefit from a personalized relationship with their mentors and fellow peers, enriching their overall experience. The program also supports the development of mentors through the use of training, peer support and a network of faculty resources.

The program strives to create a personal and enriching experience for each mentee. Small familias, formed around common interests, foster meaningful connections with mentors and peers. Mentors receive training, peer support, and ongoing guidance from professional staff. MSS professional staff also provide academic support and professional development opportunities to enrich their experience.