Make a Difference: Be an FYE Mentor

“I struggled early as a freshman; transitioning from a small town to a larger university proved to be very challenging for me. The first year program and my mentor that year provided me with tools to succeed and thrive in a new environment. I decided to become an FYE Mentor the following year and absolutely loved the experience." ~Ibaad Nazeer, Physiology & Neurobiology, 2020

"When I was a freshman, FYE provided me a space to be able to learn more about UConn, my major, and make meaningful connections with people that I may not have ever run into on our giant campus. I loved  this program and the support it provided me so much that from being a student I went to being a mentor, then to a teaching assistant, and now to a supervising teaching assistant. The FYE Program has provided me with numerous opportunities to grow and become a leader who makes a real impact on our campus community!" ~Ivy Horan, Elementary Education, 2019

You too can make a difference in the lives of next year’s first-year UConn students, gain course credit, and grow as a leader by applying to be an FYE Mentor.

WHO

FYE Mentors are specially selected UConn students from across the University’s schools and colleges ranging in class rank from Sophomores to Seniors. These students are given a unique opportunity to mentor an FYE class with a faculty or staff member.

WHAT

FYE Mentors play key roles in assisting first-year students with the transition to UConn. As FYE mentors, students gain leadership, teaching, communication, peer counseling, planning, and presentation skills. Mentors work cooperatively with instructors to serve as role models for first-year students. Potential FYE Mentors should be genuinely concerned with needs of new students and actively seek to aid them with their successful transition to the University. Mentors should be proactive in helping direct students to different opportunities and resources on campus. Above all they should serve as a “peer” resource that the students feel comfortable approaching at any time with questions or concerns.

Responsibilities:

• Attend assigned FYE class each week (UNIV 1800, 1810, 1820, or 3820)
• Attend and actively participate in the EPSY 3020 class (3-credit "Peer Counseling" required of all new FYE Mentors)
• Complete all associated EPSY 3020 assignments such as leading 1 class session for your first-year students
• Meet weekly with instructor to plan and coordinate class topics and activities
• Connect students with resources on and off campus
• Listen to student issues and meet with them one-on-one
• Lead students during in-class activities and help coordinate out-of-class activities
• Respond to student e-mails
• Check over and keep track of student assignments
• Help with HuskyCT and manage a personal tab to post resources for the students
• Present topics and lead discussions relevant to first-year students

Benefits:

• Earn 3 academic credits in EPSY 3020 and build your resume
• Gain leadership, teaching, communication, peer counseling, planning, and presentation skills
• Meet other mentors and students at UConn who share a similar leadership role
• Connect and work closely with a faculty or staff member

HOW

In order to be an FYE Mentor, you must:

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (though this is negotiable)
• Enroll in the three-credit fall semester EPSY 3020 Peer Education course
• Attend mandatory two-day summer training in August
• Demonstrate pride in UConn and ability to share experiences with others
• Conduct yourself in a professional manner when representing the University
• Communicate effectively with first-year or new transfer students

Applications are a multi-step process comprised of a written application, an in-person group interview, a group process interview, and a program contract. Those selected to be FYE mentors will be notified of their acceptance in April and placed in a course section that works with their schedule for the following fall semester.