Center for Student Success
Peer Mentors
The adjustment to college can be challenging for first-year students - especially if you're the first in your family to attend college. To help make the transition successful, the Peer Mentor program at Oberlin College and Conservatory offers peer-to-peer support for new first-generation and income-eligible Obies.
Peer Mentors are trained student staff members who provide leadership to first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) first-year students. A Peer Mentor is a returning FGIE student who understands what it's like to navigate college with additional challenges. To help ensure that FGIE students feel connected and supported, Peer Mentors offer 1:1 and group support sessions, host monthly social events, and act as guides to incoming Obies.
"I loved everything about this program. It really helped me connect with other students like me and get to know more resources on campus. Having a Peer Mentor was very helpful so I could have input from a student like me who has been through all this."
—2018 BGM Scholar
Peer Mentors provide guidance to first-year FGIE students through a variety of touchpoints:
- Check-ins: Regular emails to provide student support and share campus deadlines, events, and collegiate news.
- Workshops: Peer Mentors assist in running pre-orientation, virtual workshops and events, and F1RST Gen Week.
- F1RST Fridays: Monthly community building events that offer connection, conversation, and resources.
- The F1RST: Mentors contribute to and edit Oberlin's virtual campus newsletter specifically for the first-generation and income-eligible campus community.
- Monthly meetings: Feeling a bit overwhelmed with your collegiate journey? Meet with your Peer Mentor to talk to someone who has been there and understands. Available in group or individual format for maximum comfort.
Are you a returning FGIE student interested in becoming a Peer Mentor? Fill out the interest form or contact css@oberlin.edu for details.