About 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 honors students from the Honors College, SASHP, SOE Honors Academy, and SEBS Honors Program.
Apply to Become an Honors Peer Mentor!
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
- 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
- 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.
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
Jasmine Tbaba (HC '25) is a junior from Dallas, Texas, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy. In addition to serving as the Lead Ambassador for Event Logistics, Scheduling & Assessment, she also serves as social chair for the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, is a member of the Darien Civic Engagement Project within the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and is a member of the Arab Cultural Club. In her free time Jasmine enjoys reading, working out, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Annabel Guo is a senior majoring in Biological Sciences and Nutritional Sciences with minors in Music and Dance on the pre-med track. After participating in HC Ally as a mentee, FYM, and Senior Mentor, she is excited to continue her involvement as Co-President this year. Outside of HC Ally, Annabel works as a medical scribe and conducts research on auditory learning and memory at Rutgers. She also enjoys participating in Alpha Epsilon Delta, Rutgers Performing Dance Company, and Rutgers University Dance Marathon. In her free time, Annabel enjoys going to the beach, city trips, playing the piano, singing, dancing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Sanjana Gunda is a rising junior majoring in Business Analytics and Infomation Technology and minoring in computer science and political science on the pre-law track. In addition to being the VP of Event Planning of HC Ally, she has also served on the Honors College Dean Advisory Board. Passionate about voter equality, she also works as a research assistant with the American Voter Project through the Rutgers Aresty research program. In her free time, Sanjana loves to bake, shop, and go to concerts.
Ria Philip is a senior majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Ria started within the HC Ally program as a mentee, then became a first-year mentor, and was on E-Board last year as secretary. She is excited to be a part of HC Ally again this year as Co-President. Outside of class, Ria works as a medical scribe and is involved in research. Ria enjoys volunteering as an ESL tutor, and E-Board member of Rutgers Reach Out and Read. In her free time, Ria enjoys hiking, traveling, photography, trying new foods, and reading/watching mysteries and thrillers.
Belinda Zhang is a rising senior majoring in Pharmacy and completing the credits for a minor in Psychology. In the future, she hopes to become a clinical pharmacist, specializing in endocrinology. In addition to being the VP of Mentor Development for HC Ally, she also holds leadership positions in Rutgers Period Equity Project, Student National Pharmaceutical Association, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists, and the National Community Pharmacists Association. She is also currently participating in research on airborne hazards in overseas deployments. In her spare time, Belinda enjoys finding new shows to watch and online shopping for accessories that she will never buy.
Laura Estilo is a junior in the Rutgers Business School majoring in Marketing and BAIT. Aside from being a member of the Professional Development Council, Laura is an active member of the Rutgers Community through her involvement as a Co-Director for the Road to Consulting program. She is also an Amazon Prime Student Digital Brand Ambassador. Outside of school, extracurriculars, and work, you can find Laura exploring fashion & style, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.
Grace Attia is a rising junior majoring in Public Policy and minoring in History on the pre-law track. In addition to her involvement with HC Ally, she is an Executive Editor for the Rutgers Undergraduate Law Review and a member of the Rutgers Pre-Law Society. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and solving puzzles.
Ishita Bhargava is a junior double majoring in computer science and mathematics with a possible minor in cognitive science. After starting as a mentee in HC Ally, she became a first-year mentor last year and is excited to expand her involvement as the Technology Coordinator this year. Outside of HC Ally, Ishita is also a member of WiCS and the Security Club and is involved in a software engineering internship during the summer of 2023. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, going to the beach, watching new shows, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Tej Shah is a senior majoring in Computer Science and Business Analytics. Professionally, Tej is generally interested in AI Research, startups, and entrepreneurship. Personally, Tej is interested in helping other people, making an impact, and having fun. In his free-time, Tej enjoys reading books, playing the Tabla, and building relationships with / spending meaningful time with great people. Tej looks forward to support HC freshman as the 2022-2023 HC Ally Co-President.
Gloria Liu is a senior majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics in the School of Arts and Sciences. She is the Technology Coordinator for HC Ally. In addition to her work with HC Ally, she has conducted machine learning research with the Department of Applied Psychology, served as an Honors College Diversity Peer Educator, and plays piccolo with the Marching Scarlet Knights.
Christopher Petrus is a[n] [incoming] junior in the Rutgers Business School, majoring in Finance and philosophy. Within the Honors College, Christopher is involved in the HC Ally program and the Professional Development Council. Within RBS, Christopher is involved with the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers (LIBOR), Scholars of Finance, and RU Valuating clubs. In his free time, Christopher enjoys listening to podcasts, playing chess, and going on runs.
Prashin Jogani is a freshman majoring in computer science and minoring in quantitative economics intending to go in the field of quantitative finance. Within Honors College, Prashin is involved as an Honors College Ambassador and Professional Development Council. He is a member of Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Academy, Rutgers Entrepreneurial Society and the Rutgers Quantitative Finance Club. Outside of School, you can find Prashin in the gym, playing soccer, or spending time with his friends.
Pavan Patel is a junior majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience and minoring in Economics, intending to go to medical school after my undergraduate years and pursue clinical research on this path. I am a research intern in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center Biodesign Training program. I am also an EMT and work with my local rescue squad, and I love doing community service as a part of both my temple and Rutgers Alternative Breaks. Outside of academics, I enjoy weightlifting, trying new foods, and hanging out with my friends and family.
