The University of Miami Mission Statement

The University of Miami's mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.

School of Communication Mission Statement

The School of Communication is dedicated to a global educational perspective and is committed to proving a socially responsible and ethically grounded learning environment guided by a diverse faculty of scholars, artists and professionals. The School is committed to quality undergraduate and graduate programs in communication that emphasize the relationship between theory and practice. We believe in freedom of expression and creativity, and encourage both collaboration and independent thinking as we prepare future scholars, professionals and leaders for a lifetime of service and learning.

Peer Mentoring Program Mission Statement

The peer mentoring program is committed to enhancing student development by encouraging growth in the areas of leadership, communication, self direction, and problem solving skills. Furthermore, the peer mentoring program is dedicated to facilitating meaningful interactions between peer mentors and mentees as they engage in various school-sponsored events. Most importantly, through this opportunity of service, peer mentors will be play a pivotal role in aiding freshmen students as they transition to the School of Communication as well as enrich their learning experience at the University of Miami.

Peer Mentors’ Responsibilities

• Facilitate information about the majors offered in the School of Communication.
• Be candid when sharing any personal academic experiences at the School of Communication.
• Promote an active participation in school-sponsored events.
• Uphold all confidentiality guidelines as well as abide by all FERPA (The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act) regulations.
• Properly guide freshmen students in all general education and communication requirements.
• Address general course questions.
• Be knowledgeable about student services as well as academic resources being offered by the University of Miami.
• Assist the Office of Admissions, Academic, and Alumni Services during the freshmen orientations.

Who We Are

Peer Mentors Are:

• Enthusiastic, energetic, friendly, and motivated when interacting with freshmen or transfer students (who have earned 30 credits or less).
• Strong leaders, who display exceptional talents, at their school, place of employment, and community.

Benefits

• Early registration
• Polo shirt for the peer mentoring program
• Participate in special Peer Mentor events.

Membership Considerations

• Juniors or seniors (60 credits or higher)
• Maintain a strong grade point average in their academic programs (3.00 GPA or higher).

Application Process

• Download and fill out the application
  
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé

 Qualifications for Mentees

• Freshmen students, who participate in the program voluntarily, will work with their peer mentors during their freshmen year. Of importance, these peer mentors will come from the same communication major as their mentees.
• These freshmen mentees will finalize their course selection plans with a professional, academic advisor; peer mentors are a resource for freshmen students and complement the academic advising process.

A small segment of the freshman class may be ineligible for the peer mentoring program based on the following:

• Those who have completed about two thirds of their general education requirements, through dual enrollment or IB or AP credits, cannot participate in the program; peer mentors will inform about general education and communication requirements only.
• Those who participate in the communication honors program are also unable to participate in the peer mentoring program because they have the option to customize their areas of study and do not follow the regular communication curriculum. Moreover, Dr. Mitchell Shapiro, Director of Honors, will serve as their advisor.
• As an undeclared student in the School of Communication, you are in transition as you select your degree and any educational program within this School, the University of Miami, or any higher learning institution. Consequently, it is recommended for you to see an academic advisor regarding any changes to your current schedule and during registration for your upcoming semester.
• International students, who enroll in the English intensive program, can participate in academic classes that are not reading intensive due to their limited, English proficiency. Hence, they will be unable to participate in the peer mentoring program until they finish their English intensive courses.

Evaluation for Peer Mentors

After participating for a full academic year, mentees should provide some feedback about the efficacy of their peer mentors from the following:

• Empathic and personable quality traits
• A genuine concern for students' needs
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of core classes, prerequisites and co-requisites, majors
• Responsibility and trustworthiness when handling confidential information
• Generate student referrals when necessary.
• Overall satisfaction

If you have any questions about the peer mentoring program, contact Natieska Rivas, coordinator of the program, at or at 305-284-6631