What is the First-Year Peer Mentoring Program?
The first year of college can be an overwhelming transition for incoming students as they adjust to a new living space, meet new people, and create new routines away from home. The First-Year Peer Mentoring Program was created to assist first-year students with their academic and personal transition to college. Each section of SEM 100 (first-year seminar) is assigned a mentor who will attend class twice a week and interact as directed by the course instructor. Mentors serve as a peer support resource in the classroom as well as through one-on-one meetings outside of the classroom.
FIRST-YEAR MENTORING
Assisting first-year students with their
academic and personal transition to college
Who are the Peer Mentors?
Peer Mentors are successful 2nd, 3rd, or 4th students who have participated in training to assist students in a variety of ways. Peer Mentors know the resources available to students on campus and can help students find the support they need to be successful. Mentors serve as role models to first-year students throughout the full academic year.
What topics should I discuss with my Peer Mentor?
Mentoring relationships can take many different forms and the benefits vary from relationship to relationship. Here are some examples of topics mentors have discussed with mentees:
- Transitioning to Wartburg
- Time Management
- Roommate concerns
- Specific Wartburg resources and referrals
- How to get involved and connected on campus
- Career Exploration/Major Resources
- Goal setting
- Stress reduction and motivation
- Navigating new friendships
- Studying and test-preparation techniques
- Connecting with their academic advisor
- And much, much more!
Amy Tucker '10
Associate Director for Career Connections & Student Engagement
Peer Mentors
Maia Abrahamson ’26
Van Meter, Iowa
Major: Biology
Peer mentor, Resident Assistant, Student Success Coach
Maddy Bechtel ’27
Waverly, Iowa
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Leadership
Peer Mentor, various volunteer opportunities
Lexi Cahoy ’27
Sumner, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education, Endorsements In Science & Reading}
NSTA, Kantorei, Handbells, and Dance Marathon
Shelby Channel ’27
Urbana, Iowa
Majors: Music Education & Vocal Performance
Wartburg Choir, Alliance, Opera Workshop, and Career Services: Student Engagement Coordinator
Eleigh Davis ’27
Monroe, Iowa
Major: Social Work
St. Elizabeth Chorale, Rosenchor, Ambassador
Bailee Dawson ’26
West Des Moines, Iowa
Majors: Biology & Neuroscience
Minors: Spanish & Psychology
RA, Peer Coach and Tri Beta
Ryann Decker ’28
Fairfax, Iowa
Major: Buisness
FCA, Track and Field, and volunteer work at Retrieving Freedom.
Maggie Gerrietts ’28
Mason City, Iowa
Major: Music Education
Wartburg Choir
Selah Hadley ’28
Oelwein, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education
Zesty Orange, Salt Company, St. Elizebeth Chorale
Liz Haugen ’28
Minneapolis, Minn.
Major: Neuroscience
Minors: Sociology and Woman In Genders
Homecoming Comitee and Biology Lab Assistant
Tyler Panos ’27
Mount Vernon, Iowa
Major: Music Education
Ritterchor, Wartburg Choir, Festeburg and Konditorei Employee
Ali Parkhurst ’28
Waterloo, Iowa
Majors: Sports Journalism, Creative Writing, Public Relations
Cheerleader and involved in journalism-related clubs (Knightwire, KnightVision, Trumpet, KWAR)
Abigail Peyman ’28
Fairmont, Minn.
Major: Elementary Education
Women’s tennis team and Wartburg Ambassadors
Nicholas Raine ’27
Anamosa, Iowa
Majors: Music Education & Vocal Performance
Wartburg Choir, Student Engagement Coordinator and Office Assistant to the President
Amina Sangare ’28
Denver, Colo.
Major: Engineering Science
Black Student Union and Homecoming Committee
Cadance Schroer ’27
Grundy Center, Iowa
Majors: Biology, Spanish, & Secondary Education
Minors: All Science Endorsement
Biology Lab Assistant, Saint Elizabeth’s Choral and Dining Office Assistant
Lauren Simpson ’28
Altoona, Iowa
Majors Secondary English Education and Public Relations
Minor: Leadership
St.Elizabeth Chorale, Ambassadors, Knight Vision News, and KWAR
Audrey Tucker ’28
Mount Vernon, Iowa
Major: Biology With Secondary Ed
Minor: All Science Endorsement
Wind Ensemble and Wrestling Manager
Vanessa Victoria ’27
Ottumwa, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education
Minors: Endorsements in Reading and Early Childhood
Peer Mentor, various volunteer opportunities
Greta Wesenberg ’28
Cold Spring, Minn.
Major: Social Work
Minor: Psychology
Wartburg Choir And Vogel Library Employee