PEER – First-Year Mentoring

Overview

Since 1994, PEER matches first-year students (freshmen, transfers, and spring admits) with continuing students in a unique mentoring relationship focused on transition, success, and growth, through an Asian American and Pacific Islander lens

Mentors and mentees are hand-matched using a number of criteria, such as academic, extracurricular, and personal interests. The PEER community meets throughout the fall and spring semesters for various events, including informative, skill-building workshops and fun, community-building socials.

Program Details

PEER is a two-semester program – participants must commit to the program for the entire academic year. Interested mentors and mentees should also understand that the mentoring relationship is a two-way street, requiring open communication and engagement from both sides. The requirements for mentors and mentees are outlined below, for each semester in PEER:

Mentor Requirements:

Attend mandatory mentors training
Participate in bi-monthly Socials with Mentee
Be responsive and engaged with their mentee(s), checking in at least biweekly

Mentee Requirements:

Attend Community Workshops and Socials
Be responsive and engaged with their mentor, checking in at least biweekly

Left Image: Students hold up their boba drinks during an off-campus trip. Right Image: PEER participants pose for a group photo during PEER Retreat.

Application

Ideal mentors are those willing to give back to the APIDA community. All first-year students (freshmen & transfers) are invited to become a mentee. There are two application cycles for PEER: Fall and Spring.

Fall Cycle

Application period: early to mid August
Mentors and mentees who apply in the Fall cycle are committing to the program for the entire academic year
For mentees: Fall cycle prioritizes Fall Admit first-year students

Spring Cycle

Application period: mid to late January
Mentors and mentees who apply in the Spring cycle are committing to the program for the Spring semester
For mentees: while Fall Admit first-year students are welcome to apply in the Spring cycle, priority matches will be given to Spring Admits

Application

The application to become a PEER Mentor and Mentee are open for Fall 2023. Applications are currently open and will close on Sunday, September 11th, 2022 at 11:59pm PST.

Apply to be a mentor or mentee at: https://bit.ly/APASSPEER

For questions, contact PEER Center Assistants at apass@usc.edu

*Recruitment for new mentors and mentees will open for Spring Admits in January 2024.

Upcoming Dates

PEER Pre-Match Night: Wednesday, September 14th at 6PM

After submitting an application, mentor candidates will receive an email inviting you to sign up for an interview time slot. Prospective mentors and mentees are invited to Pre-Match Mixer Night, an event where you get the chance to seek a potential match through a friendly and fun facilitated networking opportunity. Applicants who are matched in the PEER program must participate in the following events, scheduled in the early part of each semester:

Mentor Training: covers responsibilities and expectations for being a mentor (mentors only)

Match Night: reveals mentor-mentee matches and folks connect for the first time (mentors and mentees)

Contact Information

For more information, contact apass@usc.edu.

Why PEER?

Through PEER, we hope that participants 1) learn how being an APIDA student affects the first-year experience and how to utilize campus resources; 2) find community within the program and discuss issues pertinent to transitioning to college; and 3) take what they learned to make informed decisions for their academic, professional, and personal lives. By participating in PEER, mentors and mentees can expect to:

Mentors:

Gain mentorship and leadership experience supporting new students in their transition to USC
Build professional development skills through Supervisions and Community Workshops
Join a fun and supportive community of peers

Mentees:

Develop a relationship with a continuing student at USC
Receive guidance from upperclassmen and guest speakers about academics, career, and USC life
Meet other new students in a fun and supportive space

Testimonials

“Being part of the APASS PEER program has truly enhanced my USC experience. As a mentee, my mentor’s guidance and warmth allowed me to feel comforted and connected during my first year at USC. To now be a mentor for my three mentees has been so full circle. Not only does PEER strive to promote well-being in the transition to college at USC, but the program also fosters a welcoming space for APIDA individuals to share their experiences and create lifelong friendships.”

“Community, support, and network — these are the three key aspects I have gotten out of the PEER program. Through PEER, I have had the opportunity to receive mentorship, make new friends, and have important conversations. Now, as a mentor, I love being there for my mentees when they need emotional support, professional guidance, and overall, just to rant. PEER has made up a large part of my undergrad experience, and I hope it will do the same for you!”

“The PEER program has given me a welcoming, helpful, relaxing, and engaged environment to socialize and meet new APIDA students (mentors and mentees) even over the virtual format. Whatever time and energy you put into the program, they give you more back! I've only ever had positive experiences with this program, so if you want older sibling-type advice or are just looking for some fun activities, PEER is the move.”

“PEER is fantastic! Especially in these unprecedented times of covid-19, having a mentor of the same cultural background has done so much to get me through the semester, both motivation- and academic-wise. I really liked their matchmaking process between the mentee and mentor and was immensely surprised with how well I connected with my mentor. Out of all the programs I've seen, my PEER mentor is the only one that continues to remain a pillar of support I can turn to in troubled times. The program is constantly lively with optional events that are tons of fun—in part due to the PEER team’s energy and hard work. Join PEER!”