Peer Mentoring Program
Student Leaders are Knowledgeable Guides and Academic Models
 |
Meaghan Odell and Teri Hatch represent the UNH Honors Program: they are scholarly, talented, cultured, articulate, witty – even funny – and motivated. They also lead the Honors Peer Mentoring Program, piloted in 2005, pairing upperclassman Honors students with Honors freshman from similar disciplinary backgrounds. |
Honors volunteer mentors comprise a fine group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors dedicated to supporting first-year Honors students in both social and academic arenas. Mentors may meet their small group of mentees - usually 2-3 persons - for lunch, accompany them to a sporting event, or tour campus together, assisting new students in acclimating to campus life. Mentors also may help first-year students to choose Honors courses, encourage them to participate in UHP activities, or offer advice concerning collegiate-level course work.
Honors Student Leader, Meaghan, has worked with the Honors Peer Mentoring Program since its inception three years ago. Assistant Student Leader, Teri, was a mentee herself who found the program helpful during her freshman year of college.
Meaghan and Teri’s academic achievements certainly recommend them to their present leadership positions. Both are immersed in fascinating research topics: Meaghan is exploring sociological perspectives surrounding 19th century American Women’s Literature while Teri is investigating Chile’s 2004 divorce law and its effect(s) on Chilean women and children.
Both have taken advantage of opportunities provided by the Honors Program and other University programs like travel abroad, studying in places such as Chile, England, and the Netherlands.
And indeed, both are looking forward to continuing their education after completing their undergraduate work. Meaghan will graduate in 2009 with a B.A. in English and a minor in sociology. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in education.
Teri will graduate in 2010 with a B.A. in political science and minors in sociology and Spanish. She plans to attend a graduate program in either public administration or social work following graduation. Ultimately she would like to work in the public sector creating youth development programs.
But that’s the future. Right now, Meaghan and Teri are enjoying their work as undergraduate students and Honors Student Leaders, in which they are committed to the program’s unique features: freshman outreach, Honors community development, and leadership opportunity.
The Peer Mentoring Program is just one of a number of UHP offerings that encourage academic and social community among Honors students.