Peer Mentor Program

What is the Peer Mentor Program?

The DRC Peer Mentor Program connects current Purdue students with disabilities to incoming students with disabilities in a mentor/mentee relationship. The current student provides support and advice to their mentee based on their own experiences navigating Purdue as a student with a disability. The DRC hosts monthly mentor/mentee social events, student workshops, annual Disability Awareness Month events, and a mentor/mentee orientation in addition to individual meetings between mentor and mentee throughout the month. By creating connections between incoming and current students, the DRC Peer Mentor Program personalizes a holistic experience at Purdue, along with fostering the development of self-awareness and cultivating an engaging and supporting collegiate environment.

What are the benefits of the Program?

For the mentee, the program provides multiple levels of support and stability during the transition into the collegiate environment by: offering opportunities to improve communication and self-advocacy skills, becoming acquainted with academic and personal resources on campus, cultivating a personal relationship with a peer(s) in the DRC program, gaining a better understanding of their disability in relation to the collegiate environment and developing a sense of belonging at Purdue and the community.

For the mentor, the program offers opportunities to share knowledge and personal experiences, develop leadership skills, cultivate personal relationships with a peer(s) in the DRC program, taking part in professional development opportunities, attending campus activities and making lasting memories at Purdue and within the community.

How are matches made?

Mentees and Mentors complete an application, providing personal and academic information. Matches may be made according to disability, major, gender, or other criteria, depending on the mentee and mentor preference. Final pairing decisions are made by the DRC Access Consultants, based on best fit for both the Mentee and Mentor. Students are notified about the matches early in the fall semester or as interest is made by the student. 

What types of things do I get to do?

• Mentor/Mentee Hangouts
• Monthly Peer Mentor Program Socials
• Volunteer Experiences
• Student Workshops
  • Academic Success Semester Workshops
  • DRC Mini-Workshops
  • Cultural Centers Workshops/Tours
  • Campus Events and Activities
  • DRC Stress Relief program
  • DRC Peer/Alum Panel
  • DRC/Disability Awareness Month Programming Events
  • Student Advisory Council