The University Mentorship Program matches up small groups of first-year students with an upper-level peer mentor. As a peer mentor, you will have the opportunity to connect to first-year students and serve as a role model.

Applications for the fall 2023 semester are now closed.

Only online applications will be accepted. Peer Mentors are undergraduate students only (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors).  

Graduate students are ineligible to be Peer Mentors. We do not offer mentoring to graduate students.

Questions? Contact UMMentor@umich.edu.

Who Are Peer Mentors?
  • Peer Mentors are undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) who volunteer to offer advice, respond to questions, and provide information about campus and community resources to incoming freshmen (mentees). Peer mentors represent a variety of academic departments across U-M.
  • Peer mentors provide support, guidance, and plan small group activities for their mentorship groups of 7-11 incoming first-year students. Mentorship groups are invited to attend an array of pre-planned events by our staff. 
  • Peer Mentors also have access to the faculty/staff/graduate student (FSG) mentor cohort, which provides a great opportunity for students to get to know a faculty/staff person outside of a classroom or work setting.
  • The Peer Mentor provides support and encouragement to assigned Mentees and is also supported by an assigned Communication Coordinator employed by the University Mentorship program. 
  • A typical Peer Mentor will spend 3-5 hours a week on Mentorship related activities.
Benefits & Incentives

Peer Mentor Benefits

Serving as a Peer Mentor is a valuable form of service that directly impacts the University community. By volunteering your time, energy, and knowledge about college life, you contribute enormously to the success of the entering class by helping them become acclimated and integrated into the University community!

Peer Mentor Incentives

  • Give back - Connect with first-year students, serving as support and providing guidance as they make the transition into the University of Michigan! 

  • Expand your network - Gain networking opportunities through interactions with faculty, staff, and other students.

  • Prepare for the future - Build leadership, event coordination, communication skills, and more that will prove valuable in both your educational and professional career. 

  • Attend free events - Access our free program-wide events like the annual Cider Mill Trip, Law school tour, Stressbusters, and more!

  • Earn Scholarship Funds - Outstanding mentors are nominated for the opportunity to win Mentor of the Year. Two Peer Mentors of the Year are chosen each year to receive a $2,500 scholarship in recognition of their work as peer mentors!

  • Prizes - for participating in surveys and focus groups implemented and evaluated by our staff

  • Special swag - for Mentors at the beginning of the academic year

  • End-of-semester recognition and completion certificates for outstanding mentors
Timeline

Early February | Peer Mentor Applications due online 

Mid-February | Invitation to interviews sent to select applicants. Interviews are with our Mentorship staff.

Mid-February | Peer Mentor Interviews
Those accepted for interviews will sign up for a specific time where two Communication Coordinators will interview each peer mentor.

Early March | Final status emailed to interviewees.

Early April | Peer Mentor Training 
The training is essential for the success of mentors and allows you to meet the other mentors and participate in workshops to prepare you for your experience as a mentor.

Summer | Mentor Group notifications
By early August mentors will be informed of the mentees in their groups. Once this information is received, mentors should contact their mentees and, if possible, plan to meet prior to the Kickoff event in September.

Contact UMMentor@umich.edu with any questions.