On Feb. 12 and 13, Taylor Malayer, Director of the First-Year Mentor Program, held informational sessions in Wallace Stewart about the application process with three first-year mentors in attendance and two peer mentors.
During the session, attendees asked the first-year mentors about their positions and approaches in certain situations. For example, a question was raised about what kind of qualities make a great mentor. “I think you very much have to be open to trying,” Hannah Fields ‘25 said. “You’re going to be asked to do things out of your comfort zone and you have to be willing to give it a shot and be very open-minded about it.”
Additionally, Kendall Johnson ‘25 emphasized that compassion is essential for success in the program. She recognized it is a difficult process for freshmen to live away from their homes and families, especially with adapting to a new environment. Thus, Kendall shared, “That first week of orientation is reading the room, understanding what the mentees are going through and what you can do about it.”
Ava Rennard ‘26 emphasized why the first year mentor program is important to both the mentors and the mentees. “First impressions can really make or break DePauw,” Rennard said. “Being the person that introduces you to DePauw and gives you the resources that you need while also helping you with this big transition is really important.”
Following the Q&A, Malayer outlined the qualifications for becoming a first-year mentor:
- Good academic standing: Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a good steward of DePauw.
- Full-year commitment: Mentors must be available for the entire academic year. Training is mandatory and takes place the week before first-year orientation. It includes role-playing potential scenarios with mentees, gaining deeper knowledge of the campus and participating in team-building activities.
- If you are applying to become an RA, you are not allowed to become a first-year mentor due to both being paid positions.
- Talk to your coach before applying if you are in a sport. They need to be aware of the time commitments that being a mentor will have. If your coach will not grant you this time, it will not work out to become a mentor.
Applications are due on Mar. 3 and available only to the students who attended two informational sessions on Feb. 12 and 13. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from DePauw staff or mentors, which are due by Mar. 10. Interviews will take place from Mar. 24-28 to finalize decisions.