By: Sydney McDonald
The Honors College has appointed Sierra Focazio as the new director of the Peer Mentor Program. This unique, student-led initiative began nearly two decades ago, and provides peer perspective and support for the College’s mission of holistic mentorship. The program supports incoming first-year Honors College students through the recruitment of continuing Honors College students who serve as mentors. The program utilizes a matching process to connect students on the basis of shared interests, majors, and other traits. Matched mentors and mentees meet at least once a semester.
The program has seen tremendous growth over the past year under the leadership of Sydney McDonald. McDonald is a sophomore double majoring in psychology and gender and women’s studies. McDonald also serves as the assistant editor to the Honors Wednesday Memo. The College looks forward to maintaining and continuing this level of growth in the Peer Mentor Program going into the 2024-25 academic year under the leadership of Sierra Focazio.
In January of 2023, McDonald, a then first-year student, collaborated with Dr. Jeff Vahlbusch, dean of the Honors College, to revitalize and expand the Peer Mentor Program. At that time, McDonald became the program’s first director. During the 2023-24 academic year, McDonald has continued to work closely with Dr. Vicky Klima, interim dean, to bolster recruitment among continuing Honors College students. McDonald has led information sessions for current students and spread information about the program to prospective students during the Honors College’s tour and talk sessions.
McDonald also assisted in developing, organizing, and leading the Honors College Club Expo, which was held for the first time in August 2023. Through this event, a record number of incoming students participated in the program, each eager to be matched with continuing students for mentorship for the 2023-24 academic year.
Following the Honors Club Expo, interactions between mentors and mentees in the Peer Mentor Program grew. Continuing and first-year students have shared experiences in on-campus coffee shops and engaged in Mountaineer pride at The Rock together. The program has cultivated a new culture of the peer mentorship bond within the Honors College.
If you are a current Honors College student, we encourage you to apply for the 2024-25 Honors Peer Mentor program by filling out the Google Form linked here. The deadline to complete the form is March 31, 2024. For any questions or comments, please reach out to interim Dean Vicky Klima.
Top photo of features Honors College Peer Mentor partners, sophomore Andrew Foley (left) and first-year student Greysen Freeze (right), who are on the AHO Rugby team together.
