The FYS course includes peer mentors in the form of Austin College students who function as leaders within the First Year Seminar. These students are hand selected by each faculty member and provide the “insider’s view” to life at the College.

These peer mentors participate as active members of each course, bridging the gap between student and faculty member and providing useful information, guidance, and support to our newest 'Roos.

Here's what some previous peer mentors have to say about their experiences:

"I loved getting to help the new freshmen transition into college life to help them get through their first semester."

"I enjoyed continuing to foster the relationships I built with the FYS students and learning from the professor I was working with."

"Being able to establish a strong interpersonal relationship with my peers by offering advice to make sure their college experience was the best for them was what made the experience worthwhile."

"The best part was feeling like I could really help the students navigate better in their transition from high school to college life, especially in academics."

Meet your 2022 Peer Mentor Ambassadors!

Emma Schlomann

Graduation year: 2024 Hometown: Katy, Texas Major: English Minor: Education What did you enjoy most about being a peer mentor in fall 2021? I really enjoyed being able to give first year students the advice I wished for as a freshman, and working with them in class. There’s something so fulfilling about knowing that your… [Read More]

Avery Atencio

Graduation Year: 2023 Hometown: Centennial, Colorado Major/Minor: Economics and History Major, Spanish Minor What did you enjoy most about being a peer mentor in fall 2021? The thing that I enjoyed the most about being a peer mentor this past fall was helping the freshmen get acclimated to their new environment and providing them with the… [Read More]

Maddie Bigler

Graduation year: 2023 Hometown: Long Island, NY Major/minor: Biology / Environmental Studies minor What did you most enjoy about being a peer mentor in 2021? I really enjoyed forming a bond with the freshman class and helping transition them to Austin College! I loved being someone they could rely on to give advice and be a… [Read More]

FYS Peer Mentor Frequently Asked Questions

What is expected of an FYS Peer Mentor?

FYS Peer Mentor responsibilities vary from professor to another, but include some or all of the following:

Participating in a spring semester training session
Participating in August training (typically 2 days before first-year students arrive)
Assisting with beginning-of-year orientation for freshmen
Helping freshmen with registration
Attending (and preparing for) the FYS class as instructed by the professor
Helping with the FYS class, which may include some of the following:
- Grading, testing and other teaching assistant activities as agreed to by the professor
- Assisting freshmen with writing skills if requested by the professor
- Teaching a class session if requested by the professor
- Coordinating with professor and/or professional staff as needed to respond to personal crises freshmen may confide to you as a student leader.

Do I get course credit to be an FYS peer mentor?

How does the Peer Mentor application process work?

There is an online application form for you to fill out. Please read the following instructions carefully.

If a specific FYS professor has asked you to apply to be one of their FSLs, then in Step #2 of the application, select that professor’s name.
If you would like to be considered by any FYS professor to be one of their FSLs, then in Step #2 of the application select “Open Applicant.” (Please note that not all FYS professors consider open applicants).
- NOTE: when you apply, you will be asked to submit the email address of a faculty member to serve as a reference. Please be sure you have contacted that faculty member beforehand to ask them to serve as your reference prior to submitting their email address.