The Peer Mentor Program at Point Loma Nazarene University is a way for students requesting support to receive mentorship and guidance from student leaders in academic, emotional and social areas. Student mentors can develop experience in leadership and strengthen their ability to mentor others with diverse needs. This semester’s Peer Mentor Program has 20 student mentees and 20 student mentors. Each mentor is typically assigned two mentees to manage alongside another mentor.
According to Denise Necoechea, the Educational Access Center ADA coordinator and director of the Peer Mentor Program, peer mentors act as a support system and resource for students who are facing hardships within their college journey or are new to the experience altogether.
Mentors offer their mentees personal insights, encouragement and serve as a connection point to resources on campus. Mentors may help mentees academically through methods such as time management, goal setting, to-do lists or providing tips on studying. Mentors may also help mentees integrate socially into the campus through methods such as companionship, attending chapel together or connecting them with clubs and campus events.
“For mentees, the Peer Mentor Program provides a sense of connection and belonging, helping them to navigate smoothly through college life,” Necoechea said in an email interview. “Having a mentor who has been in their shoes makes it easier to navigate academic pressures, social adjustments and personal growth. It also supports students with a team of peer mentors who can meet regularly and consistently provide extra accountability in making progress towards academic goals.”
According to Necoechea, mentors can strengthen their skills in leadership, communication, empathy, confidence and are given the opportunity to give back to their community.
“Mentors will begin to understand themselves better – their values, their strengths, their sense of purpose – and the role they play in this thing we call humanity,” she said. “They begin to understand the power of connection and the wonderful strength of interdependence, recognizing that growth happens best in a supportive community.”
She said that what qualifies a student to be a good mentor are traits of empathy, good listening skills and reliability. They are approachable, consistently communicative with their mentees and want to help others succeed. The most important quality, she said, is a willingness to authentically support and encourage students.
“Becoming a peer mentor or mentee is an incredibly enriching experience,” Necoechea said. “For mentees, it’s an opportunity to receive guidance, build confidence and form meaningful connections that can make their college journey smoother and more fulfilling. For mentors, it’s a chance to develop leadership skills, serve others and make a lasting impact on their peers. The relationships formed in this program often go beyond college, creating lifelong friendships and networks of support.”
According to Nathan Hansen, a third-year biology major and peer mentor, he joined the Peer Mentor Program because he has a passion for helping others and thought joining would give him the ability to understand different perspectives and acknowledge differences in people’s lives. He said it is an amazing feeling to know that his work as a mentor is impacting the life of someone else.
“I have learned that every mentee gives you a different perspective of various ways you can help out,” Hansen said. “People have various needs for their lives and we are responsible to meet them, and it is always fun seeing the different ways we can help out our fellow college students.”
Hansen said the program cultivates a tight-knit community of mentors who share a passion for helping others.
“It is a great way for you to learn how to problem solve, whether that be with a coworker, a friend in the future or when managing a business,” Hansen said. “These types of interactions are great ways to learn how to better communicate with those around you that have differing views on life, and also gives you better insight on how to broaden your perspective of the world.”
Makenna Givens, a third-year art education major and peer mentor, said she has become a better listener by being a part of the program and has learned the importance of intentionality.
“A lot of the time we just really need someone on our side who cares,” Givens said.
She said the biggest benefits of being a mentor are the deep friendships made, being included in a welcoming community of fellow mentors and the growth she has experienced.
Sophie Griggs, a third-year child and adolescent major and mentee, said that having a mentor has helped her develop academic tools such as time management skills and study techniques. She said it’s boosted her motivation, encouraged her during difficult times, has been a connection to campus resources and provided a feeling of involvement within the campus community.
“As a mentee, I have made friends and [gained] a better understanding of how to navigate problems,” Griggs said in an email interview. “This program has given me a space where I feel heard and encouraged, making my college experience more enjoyable and fulfilling. Having a mentor provides a sense of guidance and community, making it easier to transition into college and find success both academically and personally.”
Brianna Bortoluzzi, a third-year biology major and peer mentor, said she struggled first-hand with the challenges of being a first-year in college and the adjustments that came with the new environment and college life. She said she joined the program during her second year because she wanted to have the opportunity to be a supportive and encouraging presence for students who are facing uncertainty or stress.
Her role as a mentor has allowed her to appreciate the diversity in students’ life experiences, she said.
“I have learned that everyone’s journey is unique, and no two experiences are the same,” Bortoluzzi said. “Connecting with students on campus has broadened my perspective, allowing me to appreciate different backgrounds, challenges and ways of navigating college life.”
She said that being a mentor allows her to interact with students she may not have met otherwise, build impactful relationships and gain different perspectives.
“You not only help others grow, but you also learn more about yourself and develop valuable skills that will benefit you beyond college,” Bortoluzzi said.
Kami Duran, a fourth-year psychology major and peer mentor, joined the program because she has had many mentors in her life that have impacted her, and she wanted to hold a similar role in someone else’s life.
“One of the biggest lessons I have learned from the Peer Mentor Program is that moral support and just being there for someone, even if you aren’t ‘doing’ anything, is actually doing more than you think,” Duran said. “Sometimes people just need someone to be there with them, to guide them, to motivate them. I really believe that’s a lesson everyone should know about. Being there for someone and just sitting with them and being present goes a long way.”
To become a mentee, students can contact their academic advisor or Necoechea directly at DeniseNecoechea@pointloma.edu. For the fall 2025 semester, registration occurs at the end of this semester to apply for the program.
To become a mentor, students must submit an application, which can be found on flyers provided by various academic departments each semester. Students can utilize the QR-code link on the flyers to find the application or also contact Necoechea. For the fall 2025 semester, the application opens at the end of this semester.
Grace Barrera