About the Honors Peer Mentor Program
The Honors Peer Mentor Program (HPMP) connects first-year students to their continuing student peers as part of the Honors experience. Our leaders represent the diversity of Rutgers and demonstrate to Honors students they belong in our communities. By participating in this program, new honors students will gain insight into navigating the diverse academic, co-curricular, and professional areas of college life, as well as begin to build community at Rutgers. Through exclusive social events and workshops, Honors Peer Mentors help new students learn how to navigate the honors journey to thrive as scholars.
As we become one integrated Honors community, this group is open to all current honors students from the Honors College, School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, School of Engineering Honors Academy, and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Honors Program to serve as Peer Mentors and to all incoming Honors College students as Mentees.
Information for Honors Peer Mentees!
Applications to Be Matched to a Peer Mentor are NOW OPEN
Transitioning from high school to college can be intimidating, but the Honors Peer Mentors are here to help make your journey an informed and smooth experience.
Peer Mentors are upper-grade honors students who are eager to give you advice on all things Rutgers and honors. They are happy to chat with you in-person, by phone, text, or social media. Don't be surprised if your Peer Mentor offers to show you how to use the bus system, brings you to one of their student organization meetings, or invites you to share how your first week of classes went over coffee; it's just what our Peer Mentors do!
Peer Mentees also have access to exclusive social Peer Mentor events throughout the year led by the Peer Mentor Executive Board.
Peer Mentee Requirements
To remain in good standing in the program, Peer Mentees are required to attend at least one Peer Mentor-sponsored academic or professional event such as a mini honors major/minor/resource fair or a research panel.
Peer Mentee Timeline (2025-26)
- September - Connect and Get Support!
During the first week of classes, meet up with your Mentor at the Peer Mentor Fall Kick-off event.
Use this time to review your schedule with your Mentor, ask questions about the buses or parking, and get tips on Add/Drop Week!
- Fall Semester - Keep in Touch!
Stay in touch with your Mentor throughout the semester via text, email, coffee hangouts, or by attending monthly academic, professional, and exclusive social Peer Mentor Program events organized by the Peer Mentor E-board.
During spring pre-registration, ask your Mentor for help with your schedule, registering for classes, and how to use online resources like WebReg.
- Repeat in the Spring!
Look out for our monthly spring events like Peer Mentor Week and our Spring De-Stress Night!
Plus, consider applying to be an Honors Peer Mentor next year in March!
Peer Mentee Application & Information
As a Peer Mentee, you will be matched with a Peer Mentor who may share your identities, major, career interests, and more for the 2025-26 academic year. Please be as detailed as possible in your responses: the more we know about you, the better we can match you with a mentor.
Questions may be directed to hcmentor@echo.rutgers.edu.
- Application Link: Honors Peer Mentee Application to Connect 2025-2026
Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
Information for Honors Peer Mentors!
Before submitting your application for the 2025-26 Peer Mentor Program, please read the information below and make sure that you have the ability to provide mentorship for the entire upcoming academic year.
Peer Mentor Qualifications
- Must be a current member of a Rutgers Honors Program or the HC during the 2025-2026 academic year (Honors College, SASHP, SOE Honors Academy, and SEBS Honors Program)
- Attend Peer in-person training in April 2025 and a virtual training in late August 2025
- Attend 2 Honors Peer Mentor events throughout the academic year (1 per semester) *attendance will be logged*
- Complete 2 Mid-Semester Progress Reports throughout the academic year (1 per semester), to share that you are communicating twice per semester with your mentee
Important Dates and Required Training (2025-26)
Applications for Honors Peer Mentors open on Monday, March 3rd, and are due Sunday, March 30th at 11:59pm. Soon after, we will notify selected Honors Peer Mentors of their acceptance.
All Peer Mentors will be required to attend one of the following one-hour long mandatory in-person trainings in April and a TBD virtual training in August:
- Tuesday, April 22 | 2:00-3:00 PM | BSC 122ABC—CLOSED - AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY
- Tuesday, April 22 | 3:00-4:00 PM | BSC 122ABC
- Wednesday, April 23 | 2:00-3:00 PM | LSC 201AB
- Wednesday, April 23 | 3:00-4:00 PM | LSC 201AB
- Friday, May 2 | 2:00-3:00 PM | AB East 1180—CLOSED - AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY
- Friday, May 2 | 3:00-4:00 PM | AB East 1180
Peer Mentor Application & Position Information
As an Honors Peer Mentor, you will guide an Honors College Peer Mentee through their first year at Rutgers and help facilitate their transition into college by maintaining a constant, active mentor-mentee relationship throughout their first year and, ideally, for the rest of their college career. You will provide advice and share experiences with your mentees when appropriate and act as an additional source of support for first-year Honors College students. You can talk beyond your classes and professional development: we match you based on similar interests too! The goal of this program is to have you support your mentee to thrive as an honors scholar.
Additionally, throughout the year, the Honors Peer Mentor E-board (see drop down below) plans academic, professional, and social events for the Honors Peer Mentor community. Peer Mentors & Mentees are encouraged to meet up and attend these Honors Peer Mentor sponsored and Rutgers events. All Peer Mentors are required to attend 2 Honors Peer Mentor sponsored events throughout the academic year (1 per semester). Read more information on the Honors Peer Mentor E-Board below.
Questions may be directed to hcmentor@echo.rutgers.edu.
- Application Link: Honors Peer Mentor Application for 2025-2026 is closed.
Application Deadline: TBD for 2026-2027
Executive Board | Peer Mentor Program
The Peer Mentor Executive Board (formerly SASHP Programming Board and HC Scholar Peer Mentor Leads & Senior Mentors) is made up of a group of active Peer Mentor co-leaders. Applications are reviewed and board members are selected by the current Honors Peer Mentor Programming Board and Leads & Senior Mentors. Beginning with the Peer Mentor & Mentee matching process and the Peer Mentor/Mentee kick-off event, the E-board meets throughout the academic year to plan academic, professional, and social events for the Peer Mentors & Mentees to enjoy together.
We are looking for creative and enthusiastic leaders to serve on the Honors Peer Mentor Program Executive Board. E-Board Leaders work as a team to help develop, market, and execute Peer Mentor events, as well as run Peer Mentor social media posts.
Peer Mentor E-Board Expectations:
- Serve as a co-leader of the Peer Mentor Program
- Plan, market, and coordinate, at minimum, two Peer Mentor Events open to all Mentors & Mentees during each of the fall and spring semesters
- Manage Peer Mentor social media posts for one week during each of the fall and spring semesters
- Assist with larger Peer Mentor Signature Events/Activities
- Attend monthly Peer Mentor E-Board meetings and planning meetings throughout the semester on select Friday afternoons
- Attend student leader training in August/September for all honors student leaders
Eligibility & Application:
- To be eligible, applicants must have previously been a member of an Honors Peer Mentor Program (mentor or mentee) and be in good honors standing at the time of application.
- To apply, students must apply to be a Peer Mentor and check off their interest to serve on the Executive Board. A separate E-board application will be sent to those who are eligible on Monday, March 31 and will be due back on Sunday, April 6 at 11:59pm.
Questions may be directed to hcmentor@echo.rutgers.edu.
Meet Some of Our Past Honors Peer Mentors
Senior Mentors
