ANNOUNCEMENTS
The deadline to apply online for the 2015 mentee class has passed. If you are still interested in applying, PEER Board will be at the NSO Student Organization Fair on Monday, 9/5 from 11am - 2pm on Locust Walk. For more information about the PEER program, email shiella@upenn.edu.
Check out the brochure here.
What makes PEER stand out from other mentoring programs such as PHINS, etc?
PEER is a full-year program that is specifically designed to strengthen the APA community. Furthermore, it is the only program with events designed to further develop your leadership. PEER mentees can and are encouraged to also be affiliated with other programs.
How can I apply to be a part of PEER?
In order to facilitate leadership development and mentoring in a group setting, PEER keeps a small mentee pool size. Therefore, you must apply to be a PEER Mentee. You can fill out the application online or email your answers to shiella@upenn.edu.
What type of mentee is PEER looking for?
PEER looks for motivated incoming freshmen who are interested in meeting other students and making an impact on campus. We will consider your past leadership experiences and personal qualities as part of your application.
What time commitment should I expect as a PEER mentee?
PEER has about three events per month planned for mentees and is a manageable time commitment which will help you not only adjust to Penn, but also get to know a group of mentees and mentors extremely well in order to make lasting friendships on campus.
If you have more questions, feel free to contact us at penn.peer.board@gmail.com.
Timeline for applications:
August 19, 5pm: Application due
August 21 – 27: Phone Interviews
September 1- September 10: On-campus Interviews
September 16: Notification of acceptance
September 24-25: Off-campus retreat
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Mission
Promoting Enriching Experiences and Relationships (PEER) Mentoring Program focuses on the adjustment of first year students to college life, specifically life at the University of Pennsylvania. PEER mentors emphasize identity development, emotional health, academic success, belonging, and community consciousness. Additionally, PEER seeks to help first year students develop their leadership skills in preparation to become leaders in the Penn and Penn Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
Program Overview
PEER helps incoming Asian Pacific American (APA) freshmen adjust to life at the University of Pennsylvania, particularly as APA students, while helping them develop skills to become strong leaders within and outside the APA community at Penn and in Philadelphia. The program pairs freshmen with upper-class mentors who guide them regarding issues of identity development, emotional health, academic success, leadership skills, a sense of belonging, community consciousness, and many others. Additionally, PEER Mentees can begin applying their newly acquired leadership skills as early as their freshmen year as they design and implement a community service project—most students do not experience such an opportunity until their junior or senior year of college.
Mentor – Mentee Relationship
Each PEER mentee is paired with a PEER mentor, who is a strong leader at Penn. Mentor/Mentee pairings are made on the basis of academic and extracurricular interests as well as personalities to ensure the best fit possible. Mentors, who have already undergone a rigorous selection process, are committed to helping first year students not only adjust to college life, but also develop the necessary skills to become great leaders on campus. Mentors and mentees meet regularly, either through organized PEER events or informal get-togethers.
The Retreat
At the beginning of the fall semester, all mentees and mentors attend an off-campus retreat; the retreat allows PEER members to bond and form friendships with each other, while beginning to develop many skills vital to their success as future leaders of Penn and Philadelphia.
The Service Project
The service project, a vital component of the mentee experience, is a culmination of the leadership skills that the mentees have gained throughout the PEER year. At the retreat, mentees identify a topic of APA interest in the Penn and/or Philadelphia community that they are interested in researching or improving; based on these interests, the mentee class is divided into groups so that each team can plan and execute a service project throughout the year. Though each group works under the supervision of a project adviser, mentees make the ultimate decisions in terms of creating and implementing their project.
Scheduled Events and Informal Meetings
PEER schedules approximately two to three events each month – a social event to create a familial atmosphere within the PEER community, a leadership development event to provide mentees with tangible skills that can be utilized in their future leadership positions, and an additional event to introduce PEER mentees Asian Pacific American community at Penn and in Philadelphia. In addition to these formal events, to ensure adequate support for PEER mentees, they will meet with their mentors on a regular basis; mentees also meet with their service project teams/project advisers regularly.
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PEER BOARD 2011-2012
Michelle Leong, Internal Co-Chair
mleong@seas.upenn.edu
Jenny Xiang, Vice Chair of Service
jxiang@sas.upenn.edu
Aelita Parker, Vice Chair of Leadership
aelita@sas.upenn.edu
John Lu, Vice Chair of Social Programming
junyangl@seas.upenn.edu
