The Honors Peer Mentor Program is an incredible opportunity for incoming Honors College students to meet other Honors freshmen, explore the abundant resources USC has to offer and transition into a vibrant and well-rounded university life, all with the guidance and friendship of experienced upperclassmen. New students (mentees) are matched with upperclassmen (mentors) the summer before their first year, so they have a contact made before they even arrive!
About the Program
To ensure Mentors are prepared to be an effective resource for their mentees (typically 1-2 students), they complete training regarding USC resources and programs, supportive listening, Honors requirements and leadership skills. Not only can mentees and mentors attend exclusive Peer Mentor Program events in the fall, they can also use the Peer Mentor Program Carolina Card to buy coffee for a quick check-in.
To help incoming students adjust to life at University of South Carolina and the Honors experience by providing group support and community within the Honors College.
- To connect new incoming Honors students in their transition to UofSC and the South Carolina Honors College
- To provide meaningful and authentic partnerships between Honors students
- To provide a space for students to process their college experiences
- To connect students with campus resources
- To provide upperclassmen with opportunities for developing leadership skills
Mentees
- Learn from the experiences of others
- Increase your social and academic confidence
- Become more empowered to make decisions
- Develop strategies for dealing with both personal and academic issues
- Identify goals and establish a sense of direction
- Respond to their mentor’s communications and check-ins
- Reach out to their mentor when guidance is needed
- Meet with their mentor once per month (virtual meetings allowed)
- Attend at least 2 events during the fall semester
- Communicate any concerns with the Mentee Logistics Coordinator
- Complete the program survey
- Mentee application opens Friday, 5/12/23
- Mentee application closes Sunday, 6/25/23
- Mentee/Mentor matches shared by 7/12/23
- Is the program free? Yes!
- Is this program required for all incoming freshmen? No, participation is voluntary.
- When is the best time to sign up for the program? Incoming students are encouraged to sign up in the spring and early summer before their first semester.
- When do I find out who my Mentor is? Matches will be made and shared by 7/12/23.
Mentors
Gain a fulfilling experience
Your guidance can make an enormous difference in the lives of new students, who may
otherwise feel lost, isolated, and stressed during their transition to university
life. You get to share what you’ve learned during your time at UofSC and be there
for someone who will certainly appreciate it.
Boost leadership and relationship skills
Peer Mentors will encounter a variety of new situations, allowing them to utilize
and enhance leadership and relationship skills. Having a mentor/mentee relationship
will improve your capacity to be compassionate, confident, make sound decisions, and
listen to others.
Improve career profile
Your role as a Peer Mentor will add valuable experience to your resume and provide
opportunities to demonstrate your adaptability, resourcefulness, and passion for helping
others.
Meet new people
Mentees aren't the only ones gaining new friends in the Peer Mentor Program. Peer
Mentors often befriend their Mentees, other Mentors, and other Mentees during the
various events and volunteer activities hosted by the Peer Mentor Program. The Honors
Peer Mentor Program isn’t just a school activity; it’s a place where students connect
and become life-long friends.
- Attend 3+ trainings
- Attend at least 2 Peer Mentor Meetings and 2 events in the fall semester
- Consistent and clear communication with Mentee(s) weekly during the summer
- Demonstrate an ability to support mentee(s) with appropriate campus and community resources and an approachable and respectful character
- Communicate with mentee(s) bimonthly, including advising, midterms, and finals check-ins
- Meet with Mentee(s) once per month (virtual meetings are allowed)
- Communicate any concerns with the program coordinators
- Uphold the Carolinian Creed and maintain good academic standing within the South Carolina Honors College
- Complete an end-of-the-semester survey
- Must be a currently enrolled full-time student who will have completed at least 30 USC credit hours at the end of the current academic year
Executive Board
The Executive Board serves as the student leadership of the Peer Mentor Program. Members of the Executive Board work with the Student Engagement Coordinator and First-Generation Coordinator to ensure the Peer Mentor Program is effective, engaging, and tailored to the needs of incoming Honors students. Executive Board elections occur annually in late spring.