Disability Resource Center (DRC)

Peer Mentor Program

What is the Peer Mentor Program

The Peer Mentor Program is designed to pair incoming students with disabilities with upper class students with disabilities. Mentors use their familiarity with campus life and resources, as well as their personal experiences as students with disabilities, to provide valuable advice and guidance to mentees. By creating connections between new and more experienced students, the Program personalizes the University experience and creates opportunities for rewarding interpersonal relationships.

What are the benefits of the Program?

For the mentee, the Program provides support and stability during the transition to the college environment, and offers opportunities to improve communication and self-advocacy skills.

For the mentor, the Program offers opportunities to share knowledge and experiences and develop leadership skills.

How are matches made?

Students complete an application, providing personal and academic information, and expressing preferences for matching. Matches may be made according to disability, major, gender, or other criteria. Final decisions about pairing are made by the Peer Mentor Coordinators, based whenever possible on students’ first or second choices. Students are generally notified about the matches early in the fall semester.

How do I join?

Requirements for mentees:

• Be a new student with a disability
• Complete an application
• Attend orientation

Requirements for mentors:

• Be a sophomore, junior, senior, or grad student with a disability
• Complete an application
• Participate in an interview
• Attend orientation

For additional information:

To learn more about the Peer Mentor Program contact one of the Peer Mentor Coordinators at the Disability Resource Center by phone (494-1247):

   Keri Turrell: kturrell@purdue.edu
   Susie Swensen: sswensen@purdue.edu
   Jenny Bowes: jbowes@purdue.edu

Or complete the mentor (current Purdue student with a disability) or mentee (new Purdue student with a disability) application here and submit to:

   The Disability Resource Center
   Young Hall, Room 830
   155 South Grant Street
   West Lafayette IN 47907