HC Peer Mentor Program
Most students start college with a unique combination of enthusiasm and trepidation. The new environment, the classes, the freedom – it can at times feel overwhelming. Thankfully, first-year Honors students can turn to their HC Peer Mentors.
The Honors College (HC) Peer Mentor Program provides support to first-year Honors students by connecting them with resources, information, and people during their first semester. The structured mentor program promotes first-year student success and retention while also instilling in upper-level students (sophomores and above) the principles of leadership, citizenship, and the value of giving back.
Two Distinct Opportunities
The Honors College offers two distinct opportunities to upper-level Honors students interested in supporting the next incoming class.
Honors Peer Mentor Instructor (PMI)
With close guidance from a seasoned Honors faculty member, PMIs take the lead teaching one section of HON 105: Honors Orientation Seminar.
This rare opportunity to teach at the college level includes:
- Enrolling in HON 410: Instructional Leadership with Dr. Bill Doyle
- Teaching one section of HON 105 (1-credit, 50 minute/week class) in accordance with the HON 105 curriculum and learning goals
- Providing support and resources for students throughout the semester
- Attending the orientation and training in mid-August
Honors Peer Mentor (PM)
With direction from the Peer Mentor Coordinator, PMs offer one-on-one guidance and support to undergraduate mentees during their first semester.
Responsibilities include:
- Communicating weekly with mentees
- Scheduling one-on-one meetings with mentees as needed
- Visiting an HON 105 section throughout the semester
- Participating in HC Mentor-related events
- Attending the orientation and training in mid-August
Program Eligibility
Honors PM/PMIs must meet the following requirements:
- GPA: 3.3+ (cumulative)
- Academic Standing:
- PMI: preference will be given to students who have been enrolled as an Honors College student for at least four semesters
- PM: preference will be given to students who have been enrolled as an Honors College student for at least two semesters
- Preference will be given to those who have completed at least 7 HON-prefix credits (i.e. HON 100, HON 105, HON 101) and hold an Honors College Core GPA of at least 3.0
- Applicants should demonstrate leadership abilities and a desire to give back as expressed in their HC Mentor Program application
- Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student and available on campus for the entire Fall semester (i.e., not studying abroad)
- Applicants must remain in good standing and active members of the Honors College throughout the entire Fall semester (i.e., not pursuing an early exit/withdrawal from the Honors College)
How to Apply
We invite all qualified Honors students to apply for one or both of these opportunities. Applications for the HC Mentor Program are processed through the campus-wide Peer Mentoring initiative via Handshake (Job ID#8543301).
Students may apply for both PMI and PM roles but can only be selected for one.
After submitting your application, Dr. Mary Vance will email you additional information.
Some details of the HC Peer Mentor positions differ from the general UNLV Peer Mentor job descriptions. You may apply to other Peer Mentor programs when you complete your application. However, you may only work in one Peer Mentor program per semester (e.g., an applicant who is a Biology major may submit an application to the College of Sciences and to the Honors College, but that applicant may only be hired as a Peer Mentor in either the Honors College or the College of Sciences).