Office of Student Success

Peer Mentor Program

Pharmacy school is both exciting and challenging. The NEOMED Pharmacy Peer Mentor Program matches first-year students with a student who is in their second-professional year who will help make the transition to pharmacy school as smooth as possible.

Your peer mentor will provide a comfortable connection by sharing helpful advice, be a friendly face when you face challenges, and help you navigate NEOMED resources. First-year students get to help choose their peer mentor! After watching introductory videos, you can identify mentors with whom you feel a connection.

In your second professional year, you will also continue your relationship with third-year peer mentor support. This year will focus on themes that are outlined below:

  • 1st meeting (August/September): Time management/co-curricular guidance
  • 2nd meeting (September/October): Networking/social connectivity strategies
  • 3rd meeting (January/February): Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences/Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences
  • 4th meeting (March/April): Preparing for P3 year

What will your peer mentor do for you?

  • Provide a supportive community to ask questions and share ideas
  • Offer a perspective from someone who has had similar experiences
  • Provide a connection with your peers
  • Create social opportunities and events
  • Support you as you navigate this new academic environment

Apply to be a peer mentor!

As a peer mentor you will:

  • Develop a meaningful connection with new students
  • Gain confidence and develop as a leader
  • Expand your personal networks
  • Develop interpersonal skills
  • Give back to the NEOMED community in a meaningful way

Peer mentor expectations:

  • Serve a two-year appointment as a mentor
  • Demonstrate a genuine interest in assisting incoming P1s or rising P2s with adjusting and succeeding in their first year
  • Conduct yourself as a role model both personally and professionally
  • Provide leadership and guidance to mentees
  • Work cooperatively together with other peer mentors
  • Provide a balanced point of view to mentees and help seek out appropriate resources when needed
  • Connect with Office of Student Success faculty when needed
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Uphold the highest level of professionalism
  • P1 Peer mentors:
    • Contact mentees over the summer:
      • At least one email
      • At least one video
    • Complete check-in document (one per semester)
    • Reach out to mentees before major assessments to offer support and encouragement
  • P2 Peer mentors:
    • Host quarterly discussions related to important professionalism topics with P2 mentees
  • Respond to mentee emails in an appropriate and timely fashion
  • Respond to emails from the director of the peer mentor program in a timely fashion
  • Participate in professional development sessions related to mentoring

Peer mentor qualifications:

To be eligible to serve as a peer mentor, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • Good academic standing
  • No outstanding professionalism concerns
  • Active in student organizations (preferable but not required)
  • Participation in service activities (preferable but not required)

How to apply to be a peer mentor:

February: Submit your Peer Mentor Application, CV, and 1–2-minute video. Video should include your name, how you got to where you are, interests/hobbies, and why you think you will be a good peer mentor.

March: Peer mentors are selected

April: Incoming P1s submit mentor preferences

May: Peer mentors assigned to mentees

Other mentoring opportunities

Early Assurance Mentor

Early Assurance Students are high achieving high school seniors, college freshmen and sophomores who secured an early seat in NEOMED’s College of Pharmacy. As an Early Assurance Mentor, you will have a unique opportunity to interact with and motivate these enthusiastic students as they complete their required pre-requisites and prepare to apply to NEOMED.

Student Ambassador Program

Student Ambassadors work with prospective students by serving as mentors in the Pre-Pharmacy Club (undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy); participate in Admission programs such as Discovery Days by sitting on student panels and conducting campus tours; and providing shadowing experiences.

Interested in giving back to NEOMED by serving as a Peer Mentor, Early Assurance Mentor or a Student Ambassador? Please contact NEOMED Admissions at admissions@neomed.edu for more information.

CONTACT

Jaclyn Boyle, Pharm.D., M.S, M.B.A., BCACP, BCPS
Phone: 330.325.6452
Email: jboyle2@neomed.edu

OFFICE OF STUDENT SUCCESS

College of Pharmacy at NEOMED