The ISA Peer Mentoring Program has been at the heart of fostering community and belonging among undergraduate researchers and this fall has continued this culture with 14 ISA participating students as mentors and mentees. By pairing advanced ISA students with newer or affiliated students (like Science Alliance and LSAMP students), the program has created meaningful, one-on-one mentoring relationships that guide students through the unique challenges of research, academics, and personal growth. ISA student mentors participating this fall in the program include Ainsley Rothgeb, Lily Schaefer, Bhoomika Shettigar, Luke Hawkins, Natalie Kehrli, Jasmyn Hoeger and Yamam Hussien. The mentee participants include Damien Deanda, Mariam Nawar, Evie Ellison, Riley McCoy, Kylee Harford, Kennady Bertelsen and Adam Conrad. The Peer Mentoring program is facilitated by ISA Career Counselor Jahnavi Pandya.
What Has the Program Accomplished?
During the semester, Peer Mentors have supported their mentees in navigating lab environments, accessing ISA resources, and achieving their goals. These relationships often extend beyond academics, with mentors and mentees building trust, sharing experiences, and creating lasting connections. Mentor Natalie Kehrli and her mentee have an extended connection. Natalie shared “I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience peer mentoring and wished I would have had a resource like this when I was seeking out research opportunities. As a Resident Assistant, I am grateful that my mentee is also my resident. It is a unique, double connection!”
Our Peer Mentors
This program wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our incredible Peer Mentors. Each mentor brings a unique perspective, enriching the lives of their mentees while learning and growing themselves. With a commitment to meeting regularly as mentor-mentee pairs and as a group altogether (all mentors and mentees), our peer mentors have been instrumental in creating a supportive environment that values collaboration and personal growth. Peer mentor Luke Hawkins shared the following about the program “Peer mentoring has been an incredibly rewarding experience as it allows me to help a new student navigate a different environment and build meaningful connections. Through this opportunity I’ve not just supported another student but gained a great friend as well!”
Learn more about the current Peer Mentors and their profiles and peer mentoring philosophy here.