Welcome to the Minority Peer Mentor Webpage!

MISSION STATEMENT

The Minority Peer Mentor Program is intended to help undergraduate ethnic minority students make a successful academic and social transition to life at South Dakota State University and the Brookings community.  The program is designed to support the students’ academic progress and social adjustment to the SDSU environment by utilizing university offices, departments, faculty/staff, programs and student organizations to provide assistance, encouragement and practical experiences.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this program is to assist the University in maintaining a consistent minority enrollment with a focus on retention and graduation by providing students with a support system that is based on a one-on-one interactive relationship between upper-class students and ethnic minority freshman students.

GOALS

The goal of the program is to:
 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The Minority Peer Mentor Program provides academic, developmental and cultural workshops and socials; free tutorial and referral services; and leadership opportunities for both Peer Mentors and Mentees.

ROLE OF A PEER MENTOR

Peer Mentors will act as peer advisors to their mentees.  They will discuss issues, concerns and/or difficulties their mentee(s) is/are experiencing.  Mentors will be responsible for establishing supportive relationships with participating freshmen.  They will provide resource information and referrals to various campus resources.  Mentors will serve as role models to incoming freshmen by maintaining high academic standards.

BENEFITS

The benefits of having a peer mentor are: