Additional Information:
If you have any questions please contact Melanie Smith Nichols, Honors Program Coordinator, Melanie.Nichols@colostate.edu.
Honors Peer Mentors
Who We Are
The Honors Peer Mentors are a community of Honors students with a desire to educate newcoming students, foster meaningful peer relationships, and grow individually as teachers, mentors, and leaders. We are Student-Teachers and are unique to any other undergraduate teaching roles.
The Honors Peer Mentor Leadership Team is a group of enthusiastic, creative individuals with a passion to implement their ideas and work with others to improve the Honors program and Honors Peer Mentor program. If you are looking for an avenue to further apply oneself in the honors program, gain leadership skills, and to have their voice heard within higher education.
What We Do
- Are student teachers who co-facilitate weekly classes
- Provide resources, first-hand mentorship, and diverse experiences to honors first-year students
- Connect new students to communities within Honors and CSU
The Honors Peer Mentor Leadership Team:
- Current Positions: Lead Peer Mentor, Curriculum Consultant, Outreach Coordinator, DEI Consultant, Events & Engagement Coordinator
- Main focuses as a whole are to 1) revise 2) organize & 3) innovate the Honors Peer Mentor Program to create an inclusive and meaningful experience for students and mentors
Mission and Objectives
In the Honors Peer Mentor Program, we strive to engage our community and support all incoming first-year students through hands-on involvement in creative, innovative problem-solving. Through the Peer Mentor program, mentors guide the next generation through their transition to college and prepare them for life at and after CSU. The ultimate goal is to develop a culture of learning through shared experiences and diverse perspectives.
Program Structure Overview
The goals of this orientation component are to:
- Connect students with the Honors community;
- Expose students to on-campus resources;
- Supplement the formal Honors curriculum with relevant applicable life skills and knowledge;
- Discuss real-world issues from different points of view;
- Have FUN!
Recruitment
Benefits Include
- Hourly Pay
- Can fulfill Honors course requirements (1 credit for HONR 384 per year taught)
- Gain leadership, teaching, & mentoring experience
- Applications are open in late January each year.
Izzy Knaus
Lead Peer Mentor
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Political Science
Concentration: Global Politics and Policy
Major: International Studies
Concentration: The Middle Eastern/North African region
Minor: Spanish Language and Culture
Minor: Interdisciplinary Arabic Studies
What is your favorite part about Honors?
My favorite part about Honors is the community I have found within CSU. It can feel daunting to come to a school with such a large student body, but Honors has made it feel a bit smaller. I met some special and inspiring people in my time with the Honors Program!
What are some of your areas of interest or cool things you get to do?
I have gotten lots of opportunities at CSU, but my favorite by far was being able to study abroad in Jordan in spring 2023! I lived with a host family in Amman, travelled to all the neighboring cities within Jordan, ate some amazing food, and learned Levantine Arabic! I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the SWANA region or the Arabic language..
What advice do you have for new students?
My advice for new students is to put yourselves out there! There are countless cool opportunities on and off campus, you just have to find them! Experience as much as you can, and you won’t regret any of it!
What is your favorite part of being part of the Honors Peer Mentor program?
My favorite part of the Honors Peer Mentor program is getting to connect not only with my first-year students, but with fellow Peer Mentors. Getting to meet and mentor new classes of Honors students is so much fun! I have also met some super cool people here in the program, whether I’m teaching alongside them or hanging out at our peer mentor meetings!
Emily Rodgers (she/they)
Curriculum Consultant
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Clinical/Counseling Psychology
Minor: Criminology
What is your favorite part about Honors?
My favorite part about honors is how small the class sizes are. It allows for a more discussion-based class which leads to interesting ideas and perspectives being shared. It’s rare in most of my other classes and provides a good break from the typical lecture style class.
What are some of your areas of interest or cool things you get to do?
My main area of interest first counseling psychology and the psychology of learning (how do people learn). There’s a lot of research discussing how to study and learn effectively and it’s amazing that the information is not common knowledge. (A good tip here is when studying: don't just rehearse, test yourself for better memorization!)
What advice do you have for new students?
My advice for new students would be to make friends and try to be as social as possible (don’t forget to study and take care of yourself!) Honesty some of the best classes and memories I have had here at CSU were largely due to the friends I made.
What is your favorite part of being part of the Honors Peer Mentor program?
My favorite part of the Honors Peer Mentor Program is having the opportunity to teach and manage a classroom. It’s rare to find it in undergraduate programs. My ultimate goal is to become a university professor so it’s nice having the experience of teaching.
River Brooks
Outreach Coordinator
Year: Third Year
Major: Business Administration-Accounting
What is your favorite part about Honors?
Honors has helped me learn much more about worldly issues and history and has improved my research abilities to become a more informed person on any topic.
What are some of your areas of interest or cool things you get to do?
I love to sing and perform in all three of the choirs at CSU and Mainstreet A Cappella. I also have a big obsession with building Legos!
What advice do you have for new students?
My advice for first-year students is to go to as many events as you are interested in, whether they are club, major-related, or community events. They are a terrific way to make connections and possibly find the field you want to work in after graduation.
What is your favorite part of being part of the Honors Peer Mentor program?
My favorite part of being in the Honors Peer Mentor program is all the amazing students, staff, and faculty that I have had the pleasure of meeting/ working with. I found my closest friends from Honors and there isn't a better way to grow as a leader and help others at CSU than through the Peer Mentor program.
Gabriella Lockey
Events & Engagement Coordinator
Year: Junior
Major: Civil Engineering
What is your favorite part about Honors?
One of my favorite aspects of Honors is the stimulating environment. It has not only expanded my intellectual horizons but has also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among like-minded peers. I have met so many amazing people through the Honors Program and I am forever grateful.
What are some of your areas of interest or cool things you get to do?
I'm interested in weaving sustainability into business and engineering practices. Filmmaking is a passion of mine, and I enjoy creating films for festivals. When I'm not hitting the books, you'll likely find me at a dance class of some sort.
What advice do you have for new students?
• My advice is to embrace curiosity and seek out diverse perspectives. Don't be afraid to explore new opportunities, connect with professors, and build meaningful relationships with your peers. The journey is as much about personal growth as it is about academic achievement.
What is your favorite part of being part of the Honors Peer Mentor program?
Being a part of the Honors Peer Mentor program has been incredibly rewarding. My favorite aspect is the opportunity to guide and support fellow students on their academic and personal journeys. The chance to contribute to the growth and success of my peers brings me great fulfillment. It's a unique experience that not only allows me to share my knowledge but also learn from the diverse perspectives and experiences of those I mentor.
Mattie Morris
DEI Consultant
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Environmental Engineering
What is your favorite part about Honors?
The Honors program has helped me meet many close friends and has provided me with excellent support academically. The resources provided for Honors students have been extremely helpful to me during my time at CSU, providing me with a great academic support system.
What are some of your areas of interest or cool things you get to do?
I'm a part of several engineering related clubs and am currently in the process of becoming involved in research focusing on air quality engineering. I love spending my time outside of school with friends, cooking, and making art.
What advice do you have for new students?
College is a time of self-discovery and new adventures. Try to say yes to as many things as possible and do your best to get involved in many areas of campus!
What is your favorite part of being part of the Honors Peer Mentor program?
I enjoy the engagement with first-year students, helping them navigate the first semester of college is exciting. I also love the community built with the other peer mentors, it has made me feel more connected to the Honors Program and like I have my own place on this big campus.