First Year Mentor Program

Peer mentoring programs are shown to promote persistence, provide opportunities that encourage academic success, and foster a sense of belonging. The one-on-one model is designed to be student-centered and student-directed, allowing participants to easily blend their busy schedules with the requirements of the program.

The James Madison First Year Mentor Program strives to:

• Support First Year Students in their transition to James Madison and Michigan State University
• Encourage successful academic and personal development
• Promote student involvement
• Enrich the connections of Madison students to each other, the college, and the MSU campus

This webpage provides information for first-year students who want to take advantage of the program, and advanced students who may be considering becoming a peer mentor.

• Information for First-Year Students

  What is a First-Year Mentor?

  A First-Year Mentor is an upperclass student who will meet one-on-one with a first-year Madison student and serve as a role model, support system and resource agent.

  What Can a First-Year Mentor help me with?

  • Transitioning to the university
  • Getting to know campus resources
  • Getting involved on campus
  • Meeting new people
  • Tips for being successful academically
  • Help with class registration

  What will I be expected to do?

  Mentees will attend at least one JMC event with their mentors each month, at least one in-person meeting with their mentors, and have weekly reasonable electronic communication with their mentors. New Wednesday evening programming at JMC will provide regular opportunities to fulfill the monthly event requirement. Attendance is mandatory for for the FYMP mentor-mentee match ice cream social on October 2 at 5:30 p.m.

  How can I sign up to be a part of the First-Year Mentor Program?

  You will receive more information about applying to participate in the program by email early in the Fall 2024 semester.

• Information for Students interested in becoming a Mentor

  So you want to be a Mentor?

  Do you remember what it was like your first semester at James Madison and what you did to survive?  Are you a good listener who would like to help others learn from your experiences but doesn’t pretend to have all the answers? Are you a motivated student who is interested in making a difference in the lives of first-year Madison students? 

  Become a Madison First-Year Mentor!

  Why become a Peer Mentor?

  • Improve the sense of community within your college;
  • Meet new people;
  • Build your resume;
  • Gain leadership experience.

  What does a Mentor do?

  FYMP mentors will play a crucial role in connecting new students to the college community, help cultivate a sense of belonging, and provide information and academic resources on campus. Through sharing their own experiences and serving as a point of connection within the college, mentors will support new students as they navigate their first year at JMC.

   Qualifications:

  • Second, third, or fourth+-year JMC student and ability to commit to the program for the full academic year.
  • Demonstrated involvement on campus and within the college in a way that would enable mentor to encourage others to seek out opportunities.
  • Demonstrated willingness and ability to interact with and support individuals who hold different identities than themselves.
  • Ability to meet performance expectations as outlined above.
  • Must be in good academic standing, maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA.

  Academic Standards:

  Mentors are expected to be a good role model for first-year students. They will be expected to be in good academic standing, maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative and semester GPA while making satisfactory progress toward their degree.

  Responsibilities & Expectations:

  Mentors in the FYMP program will receive training at the beginning of fall and spring semesters and receive additional monthly developmental guidance. Attendance will be mandatory for the fall mentor training on September 18 from 5 to 8 p.m., as well as for the FYMP mentor-mentee match ice cream social on October 2 at 5:30 p.m. 

  Mentors will attend at least one JMC event with their mentees each month, at least one in-person meeting with their mentees, and have weekly reasonable electronic communication with their mentees. New Wednesday evening programming at JMC will provide regular opportunities to fulfill the monthly event requirement. 

  Mentors will agree to submit regular program reporting forms and an end of semester evaluation.

  Mentors should expect to commit about 20 hours per semester to the program.

  Benefits/Compensation:

  Mentors will receive payment of $250 at the end of each semester after meeting the program’s performance expectations. 

  How can I apply to be a Mentor?

  Second, third, or fourth+-year JMC students interested in becoming a mentor can view the program requirements, expectations and application instructions via Handshake (search “JMC”). Applications for the 2024-25 program are due: Aug. 18, 2024.