Peer Mentor Program

What is the Peer Mentor Program?

The DRC Peer Mentor Program (PMP) pairs incoming and current DRC students to foster a sense of belonging and cultivate the skills needed to navigate their higher education experience. Over the course of the academic year, the PMP hosts monthly socials, workshops, and awareness activities. Additionally, mentors meet with their mentees bi-weekly throughout the course of the year. By fostering connections, the PMP establishes a holistic experience at Purdue, along with creating the development of self-awareness and cultivating an engaging and supporting collegiate environment.

Participants in the DRC Peer Mentor Program pose for a picture on a a picnic table at Exploration Acres Corn Maze.

What are the benefits of the Program?

The DRC Peer Mentor Program (PMP) offers Mentees multiple levels of support and stability throughout their transition into the collegiate environment.

The PMP offers opportunities to:

• Improve communication and self-advocacy skills
• Become acquainted with academic and personal resources on campus
• Learn to cultivate personal relationships with a peer(s) in the PMP
• Gain a better understanding of their disability in relation to the collegiate environment
• Develop a sense of belonging at Purdue and the community.

The DRC Peer Mentor Program (PMP) affords Mentors opportunities to share personal knowledge and lived experiences that will assist their mentee in navigating the process of becoming a Boilermaker. Mentors will also develop leadership skills while building relationships with peers in the PMP.

There are opportunities to:

• Participate in professional development
• Polish skills that transfer into the workforce
• Have a voice within the Purdue community.

How are matches made?

Prospective participants complete an application, that includes personal and academic information. Using the information participants provide, matches are made based on the following criteria:

• Disability/Condition Type
• Academic College/Major
• Gender

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 mentee.

What types of things do I get to do?

• Mentor/Mentee Hangouts
• Socials (e.g., Corn Maze, Game Nights, Bowling, Ice Cream Social, Photo Scavenger, etc.)
• Campus Events and Activities
• Workshops
  • Academic Success Skills
  • Career and Employment Opportunities
  • Disability Awareness
  • Self-Care
  • Panels
  • Current Events/Special Topics
• And Many More