DMA Peer Mentoring Program

• To build and enhance community and support among first-year students and mentors.
• To assist new students with making a positive transition into UWG.
• To encourage mutually beneficial, positive and lasting relationships and experiences between students.
• To provide peer mentors with opportunities for developing skills in leadership, group facilitation, communication, and event-planning.
• To develop and enhance mentors’ and mentees’ abilities to interact comfortably with people and groups from various backgrounds.

Being a Peer Mentor is a great opportunity for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to serve UWG by assisting in building community for UWG’s first-year students. Students serving as DMA Peer Mentors are paid an hourly stipend. All Peer Mentors are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Participate in a mandatory 2-day training session that will take place prior to the beginning of Fall Semester.
• Provide a picture and bio to be posted on the DMA website.
• Introduce yourself to your mentees prior to the first day of Fall Semester classes.
• Attend the DMA Welcome/Bienvenidos Open House before Fall classes begin to meet your mentees.
• Meet with mentees as a group or individually at least 5 times each semester and help facilitate student involvement in and the planning of DMA community engagement and social events.
• Maintain an open line of communication throughout the semester with mentees.
• Remind students about upcoming events and encourage them to attend programs sponsored or co-sponsored by DMA.
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources.
• Work 3-5 hours (In-Office/On-Campus) per week to connect with and have in-person engagement with mentees.
• Enter all contact notes you have for your mentees using the EAB system within 24 hours after each contact.
• Meet with the Legacy League or MAP Coordinator and Graduate Assistant once per month.
• Attend DMA events and plan at least one Study Skills series topic for the Mentoring Group.

All applicants for DMA Peer Mentor must have:

• Completed at least 30 UWG credit hours.
• A minimum of a 2.5 cumulative gpa.
• Availability to attend the XIDS 2002 Legacy League or XIDS 2002 MAP class (Days & Times TBA Fall Semester)

Applications open each Spring for DMA Peer Mentors.

If you need more information, please email DMA@westga.edu.

What is the time commitment?

• The Department of Multicultural Achievement requires peer mentors to take part in mandatory training in the fall before classes start and monthly meetings/training sessions throughout the year. Mentors are expected to connect with mentees at least 5 times Fall Semester, 3 times Spring Semester, and regularly attend DMA events.

How often do I contact my mentees?

• Mentors need to contact mentees on a regular basis, preferably bi-weekly. However, mentors are encouraged to refrain from overwhelming their mentees by contacting them too often.

Can I collaborate with another mentor group?

• Yes! Collaboration is encouraged, but both mentors and mentees need to consent to the collaboration prior to the meeting and plan accordingly.

My mentee isn’t responding, what do I do?

• Mentors should allow a reasonable amount of time for the mentee to respond to any communication (about a week). If a mentee is not attending meetings or responding to outreach messages for the first month of the semester, reach out to the Shana Anderson, Coordinator of MAP or Dr. Jairus Matthews, Coordinator of Legacy League for assistance.

Who do I contact if there is an issue with a mentee?

• Mentors are encouraged to communicate in a healthy and respectful manner with all members of the campus community. However, if problems cannot be resolved within the mentor/mentee partnership, mentors should notify Shana Anderson, Coordinator of MAP or Dr. Jairus Matthews, Coordinator of Legacy League immediately.

Are transfer students allowed to be mentors?

• Yes! Transfer students can be mentors after their first year at UWG.

Can you be a peer mentor more than once?

• Yes! Peer mentors in good status are encouraged to return as mentors.

Leadership Skills

• Being a peer mentor helps you develop leadership skills by guiding others. You learn to inspire, organize events and group activities, and take responsibility in a collaborative setting.

Communication Skills

• Mentoring improves your ability to clearly express ideas, listen actively, and adapt your communication style to different people. You gain confidence presenting information and facilitating group discussions.

Time Management

• Balancing mentoring responsibilities with your own coursework strengthens your time management and organizational skills. You also reinforce effective study habits by helping others learn.

Stronger Connections with Professors

• Mentoring helps build meaningful relationships with professors and opens doors to new opportunities. These connections can support your career and goals well beyond graduation.

Students are assigned to mentors with similar majors or interests.

Once paired, students will be provided with the name of their mentor. Before arriving on campus, students will receive an introduction email from their mentor and will have an opportunity to meet with their mentor at the DMA Open House before classes begin in August.

Throughout the academic year, there will be many opportunities for students to engage with their mentors through 1-on-1 meetings, small group meetings and other DMA meetings and events. This program is designed to allow students the opportunity to ask questions, meet new friends, get involved, build connections, and start to become part of the UWG community.

How will I be selected into a group or assigned as a mentor?

• Mentees are generally assigned mentors based on their majors. However, sometimes the mentor’s major may not always completely align with the mentee’s program of study. The mentor will still be knowledgeable about UWG’s campus resources and can direct you to the right place.

How can a DMA Peer mentor support me throughout my first year at UWG?

• A peer mentor supports the transition to academic and campus life at UWG, providing resources to help mentees succeed. Since your mentor is also a student, they can draw from their own personal experiences that can help with the transition of your first year at UWG.

What happens if I change my major?

• The mentee will remain with their original assigned mentor.

How many meetings do I have to attend?

• Mentees are required to meet with peer mentors 5 times Fall Semester and 3 times Spring Semester.

How will meetings be scheduled?

• Mentors and mentees will discuss the best meeting times for everyone’s schedules.

What happens if I can’t make a 1-on-1 or meeting?

• Be sure to let your mentor know as soon as possible. They will be able to arrange another meeting with you.

How many meetings will take place each semester?

• Your mentor will schedule at least five (5) 1-on-1s/meetings Fall Semester and three (3) 1-on-1s/meetings Spring Semester.

What are resources for first-year students?

• There are a wide variety of campus resources available for first-year students to fulfill your needs. For the full list, visit https://www.westga.edu/administration/provost/first-year-student-resources.php

Are DMA mentees only first-year students?

• Mentees are typically first-year students.

Improved Academic Success

• Students with peer mentors typically earn better grades in the first semester compared to those without mentors.

Increased Sense of Belonging

• Peer mentors help students feel more connected to their classmates, instructors, and the broader university community.

Emotional Support

• Peer mentors are also students, so they tend to be more approachable, making it easier to seek advice and emotional support.

Higher Persistence

• Students with peer mentors are more likely to continue their studies, with even stronger impacts for first-generation students.