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You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

College of Fine Arts student at Clash of the Colleges

You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program

 

If you’re a new student in the College of Fine Arts, we want you to know that you belong here!

The You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program is an opportunity for new freshmen, transfer, and returning adult students in the College of Fine Arts to gain skills, resources, and support to help them succeed in their first year at Wichita State. This program is for students who have a strong desire to be successful, and simply want some additional guidance, resources, or support in their first year at Wichita State.

 

Late Applications

Didn’t get your application in before the deadline? If a mentor could make a meaningful difference for you, we’d still like to hear from you. Late applications may be considered—please reach out to Larry Compton at  larry.compton@wichita.edu, and we’ll work with you as best as we can.

 

What is the You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program?

  • This program provides one-on-one peer mentorship to new freshmen, transfer, and returning adult students in the College of Fine Arts. The role of a peer mentor is to provide support, encouragement, and information to their mentees. Peer mentors serve as student life experts and they may have suggestions about work-life balance, adjusting to university life, advisor/advisee relationships, etc. Ideally, mentors serve as both personal and academic support for their mentees.
  • At the start of the fall semester, there will be a welcome party to kick-off the semester. All new student mentees and mentors will be invited! This will be an opportunity for new mentees to meet their peer mentor and the other students in the program. 
  • New student mentees are matched with an established student who serves as a peer mentor. We strive to match students so that mentees and their mentors have at least one thing in common, such as academic major or a shared interest. Mentees and mentors will meet at least once per month during their first year at WSU. Although monthly meetings are required, mentors are someone that mentees can reach out to at any time for guidance or support.

What are the benefits of joining the program?

The You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program has one major goal: to help new students successfully transition to Wichita State and have a successful first year academically, socially, and personally. The benefits of being part of the program include:

  • One-on-one guidance and support throughout the first year from an upper-class Fine Arts student.
  • Opportunities to network and build connections within the College of Fine Arts.
  • Advice and resources on how to get involved in the College of Fine Arts and on campus.

What are the membership requirements?

The You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program seeks students who have a strong desire to be successful, and simply want some additional guidance, resources, or support along the way. The only requirements are:

  • Must be a new freshman, transfer, or returning adult student in the College of Fine Arts in the Fall 2026 semester.
  • Commitment to the program for the Fall 2026 semester.
  • Monthly one-on-one meetups with a peer mentor.

How do I join?

  • If you are interested in being part of the You Belong Here: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program, and are committed to being involved in the program, the first step is to fill out the application above. 
  • Students selected to be in the program will be notified by Monday, August 3rd.

Questions?

For questions, contact Larry Compton, Fine Arts Success Coach, at larry.compton@wichita.edu.
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