Peer Mentor Program

What is Peer Mentoring?

Peer mentoring is a supportive relationship designed to help students successfully transition to college life and thrive at Austin Peay State University during the student’s freshmen and sophomore years. Through the Full Spectrum Learning (FSL) program, students are paired with trained Peer Mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and connection throughout their college experience.

What Happens During a Mentor Meeting?

Mentor meetings take place once a week for at least 30 minutes each followed by a mandatory session report. The first meeting is used to build on rapport or catch up from the break. Other areas discussed during meetings include, but are not limited to:

Every mentoring relationship is unique. Meetings are personalized based on the student's goals, interests, and needs.

Benefits of Having a Peer Mentor

Val and Xavier, mentor and mentee, hard at work.

Students who participate in peer mentoring gain support, encouragement, and guidance as they navigate college life. Through regular meetings with a Peer Mentor, students can learn more about Austin Peay State University, connect with campus resources, and become more engaged in both the university and Clarksville communities.

Peer mentoring helps students build confidence, strengthen self-advocacy skills, develop effective goal-setting strategies, and increase their independence. Students also benefit from meaningful social connections, opportunities to practice interpersonal skills, and the support of a mentor who understands the college experience.

Many students report that peer mentoring helps them feel more connected, confident, and empowered while also providing opportunities to make new friends and enjoy their college experience.

Become a Peer Mentor with FSL

Peer mentoring is more than a campus job—it is an opportunity to build transferable skills, create meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact on the college experience of fellow students.

Benefits

Serving as a Peer Mentor is a rewarding opportunity to support fellow students while developing valuable leadership and professional skills. Mentors gain experience in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management while building meaningful connections across the APSU community.

As a Peer Mentor, you will:

• Receive all necessary training, plus optional CRLA Certification

• Receive credit for scholarship and/or volunteer hours

• Develop leadership and interpersonal skills

• Gain experience for your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and future career portfolios

• Build confidence and strengthen communication and problem-solving abilities

• Expanding connections across the APSU community

• Make a positive impact on the success of fellow students

• Experiencing personal growth and a sense of purpose through service to others

Requirements

Apply to Become a Peer Mentor with FSL

Peer Mentor Report

Reports should be submitted after each session.

Submit Report

Advice from Past Mentors

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Make sure to see their potential, believe they can fulfill it, and give them feedback that helps them move towards their goal.

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Always leave space for the mentee to talk and make sure you get to know them. Try to understand how they think and process things. Don't let this be something they dread. Also, I always let my mentee pick the location.

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Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be your authentic self. Sometimes you feel like you're not doing enough and that's okay, take that as sign to grow as a peer mentor. You're appreciated more than you think.

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Future mentors should focus on building a genuine relationship with their mentee by creating a comfortable and judgment-free space. Being consistent, actively listening, and showing empathy can make a big difference in helping mentees feel supported. It’s also important to be patient and encourage open communication.

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Be quiet and listen to what the other person is telling you. Don’t listen to respond, listen to understand how they feel about what they’re talking about. Also, don’t feel too pressured to “perform”- you will not be able to be a perfect source of support, and if your expectations are perfection, you either won’t be genuine or will feel a ton of pressure. Don’t take everything personally, sometimes you need to just take a step back and observe. Do smile and enjoy meeting someone new!

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Don’t be stressed about it! The role is all about relationships building, and as long as you’re a good listener is should not be stressful. The biggest thing is just showing up and them knowing they have someone in their corner.

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Don’t be nervous and know that you are here to help and make a difference. You won’t know everything, but the fact that you are trying and learning is beautiful.

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Never be afraid to ask for help

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Always trust that you are trying your best even if it feels like you are not because at the end of the day you put the effort in by just coming to a meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions