Office of Student Life Peer Mentoring Program

Navigation

The Office of Student Life (OSL) peer mentoring program is designed to engage students in an activity focused experience, working with peers assigned to refer students to campus services, engage cohort students in face to face meetings, and plan campus activities.

At LWTech, we are building our peer mentoring with cohorts; a group of students centered on a similar interest or experience.

OSL peer mentors will build connections between and among LWTech students interested in the following groups:

Learn more about our cohort groups and how you can stay connected during your LWTech experience.

Join a Student Peer Group Today!

 

A first-generation college student is a person whose parents or guardian did not complete a bachelor's degree, a single-parent household where the lone parent did not complete a bachelor's degree, or an individual who did not regularly live with or receive support from a parent/guardian before age 18.​ Our first generation students are supported by LWTech by ensuring you know resources to support you in your academic experience. However, being a first generation student can feel overwhelming and sometimes lonely. 

Our peer engagement mentoring experience will connect you to a student that works for the Office of Student Life who will answer questions, invite you to participate in activities, and help you with resource connection.

Students with disabilities fall into two categories including physical or neurodivergent:

  • Individual physical, sensory, mental, emotional, cognitive, and more and these disabilities may be more or less apparent to others.
  • Individuals who think, learn, and process information differently. People who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, or other neurological differences are a natural part of human diversity. ​​

Our students with disabilities (hidden or physical) are supported academically through LWTech's Disability Support Service office. Our peer engagement mentoring experience will help connect you to other students with disabilities in this cohort experience. Your peer mentor will connect you to resources and help refer you to services that will support you. Your peer mentor will also work with you to build campus activities focused on the cohort's ideas.

This cohort provides a supportive peer community where members share academic resources, and social connections. Joining helps reduce isolation, builds strong self-advocacy skills, and connects you with tailored campus resources and mentors who understand your unique educational journey.

Students who are attending college for the first time, and they are above the age of 24 or they are married or are students with children or other dependents are considered non-traditional students. ​A non-traditional student cohort is a supportive learning community for older adults, working parents, career changers, or part-time learners. You should join to meet new people with the same or similar lived experience, help you build a strong professional network, and receive tailored academic support that fits your busy life outside of school.

Joining this cohort will help you connect to students who understand your daily stressors.

Our student organization leaders are students who have taken on the work of chartering and managing a student organization or student club. These leaders are managing school work, life pressures, while managing an organization that assists other students in getting involved to learn something outside of the classroom or academic experience.

This cohort's peer engagement mentor will connect student leaders so they are supported in the work of managing the student organization, getting referrals to services, and invited to participate in different campus activities targeted to student organizations. 

Our Wellness Center is a great place to work out, learn about different wellness resource, workout, meditate, or shower. This cohort will focus on engaging students in wellness experiences and activities that focus on all the Center has to offer.

Your peer mentor will connect you with other students interested in different parts of wellness. You will have an opportunity to build campus connections through events or activities unique to the dimensions of wellness.

Student veterans and military connected students work with our Student Veteran Center coordinator to receive academic advising and academic planning. The peer mentor will help you learn more about student veteran and military connected resources, build student vet center environments other students will enjoy, and help build a solid connection between your military experience and your civilian journey at LWTech. 

You don't have to navigate college alone!

You belong at LWTech so join one of our OSL cohorts to get connected now! It's easy and free to join.  

Joining a cohort is easy. This quick form will help us learn more about you. After the form is complete you will be contacted by email and you'll learn more about the group and how to connect with our peer mentors.

At OSL campus activities we will also have signs with QR codes to join. 

OSL will also publicize our cohort work via the Office of Student Life Instagram page and on-campus media. 

  1. What is peer mentoring?
    • Peer mentoring at LWTech is an experience where a trained student employee will focus on gathering a community around a cohort experience. 
  2. Why should I join a cohort?
    • There are many reasons why a student might join a cohort. A big reason is to meet new people who might be experiencing the same thing you. You can meet these folks and learn from them. You will also get up-to-date information about LWTech's information without having to search the college's webpage. You will be added to an MS Team group where you can share ideas or ask questions.
  3. Does it cost to join?
    • Joining an OSL cohort is free. Dues are not required.
  4. How can I sign up to join a cohort?
  5. Can I sign up throughout the year?
    • Yes, you can sign up throughout the year. You'll connect with your mentor and they will let you know how to get involved.
  6. Do I need experience to join a cohort?
    • No you don't. While we ask that you join a cohort similar to your lived experience, the only experience you need is being an enrolled student at LWTech.
  7. What are the cohort names?
    • First Generation
    • Non-Traditional Students
    • Students with Disabilities
    • Students Focused on Wellness
    • Student Organization Leaders
    • Student Veteran and military connected students
  8. Will other people know I'm in the cohort?
    • Your cohort membership will not be advertised. Being part of the MS Teams group will alert others to your membership. If that is a concern that can be addressed.
  9. Can I join more than one group?
    • While it is possible to participate in more than one cohort, it is not generally encouraged. We recommend that students focus on a single cohort and mentor relationship to get the most value from the experience and to help avoid duplicate efforts across multiple cohorts. This approach allows students to build a stronger connection with their mentor and stay fully engaged with their cohort's activities and goals.
  10. How long is the experience?
    • OSL is building an experience where we will focus on cohort quarter to quarter. As the quarter's pass, there will be similarities in activities and communications. However, second or third quarter cohort members are welcome to help the peer mentor develop new experiences for cohort members.
  11. Do I have to be in the cohort forever?
    • No, you do not. You may leave a cohort at any time.

You can expect that our OSL peer mentor will connect with you throughout the quarter, and as long as you are in the cohort. There will be regular and collaborative meetings with the cohort where you will meet new people. There will be shared discussions about campus activity development, resources available to you, and personalized connectivity to LWTech's resources, programs, and services.

 

Flor Reyes

Assistant Director Osl
Office of Student Life