FIRST-YEAR MENTORING

Assisting first-year students with their
academic and personal transition to college

What is the First-Year Peer Mentoring Program?
The first year of college can be an overwhelming transition for incoming students as they adjust to a new living space, meet new people, and create new routines away from home. The First-Year Peer Mentoring Program was created to assist first-year students with their academic and personal transition to college. Each section of SEM 100 (first-year seminar) is assigned a mentor who will attend class twice a week and interact as directed by the course instructor. Mentors serve as a peer support resource in the classroom as well as through one-on-one meetings outside of the classroom.

Who are the Peer Mentors?
Peer Mentors are successful 2nd, 3rd, or 4th students who have participated in training to assist students in a variety of ways. Peer Mentors know the resources available to students on campus and can help students find the support they need to be successful. Mentors serve as role models to first-year students throughout the full academic year.

What topics should I discuss with my Peer Mentor?
Mentoring relationships can take many different forms and the benefits vary from relationship to relationship.  Here are some examples of topics mentors have discussed with mentees:

  • Transitioning to Wartburg
  • Time Management
  • Roommate concerns
  • Specific Wartburg resources and referrals
  • How to get involved and connected on campus
  • Career Exploration/Major Resources
  • Goal setting
  • Stress reduction and motivation
  • Navigating new friendships
  • Studying and test-preparation techniques
  • Connecting with their academic advisor
  • And much, much more!

Amy Tucker '10

Associate Director for Career Connections & Student Engagement

Peer Mentors

Madison Abels

Madison Abels ’25
St. Peter, Minn.
Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology and Leadership

Maddy Bechtel

Madeline Bechtel ’27
Waverly, Iowa
Major: Business Administration (marketing and supply chain management)
Minors: Social Justice and Leadership

Lexi Cahoy

Lexi Cahoy ’27
Sumner, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education (science, middle school, and reading)

Juliana Cimral

Juliana Cimral ’25
West Linn, Ore.
Majors: Elementary Education and Psychology

Davis Eleigh

Eleigh Davis ’27
Monroe, Iowa
Major: Social Work

Bailee Dawson

Bailee Dawson ’26
West Des Moines, Iowa
Majors: Biology and Neuroscience
Minors: Spanish and Psychology

Susana Gonzalez

Susana Gonzalez ’26
Charles City, Iowa
Major: Music Therapy
Minor: Spanish

Kate Heithoff

Kate Heithoff ’26
Harlan, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education

Alexander Hilgerson

Alexander Hilgerson ’25
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
Majors: Biology & Sociology/Criminology
Minor: Leadership

Landon Jepson

Landon Jepson ’27
Williamsburg, Iowa
Major: Journalism & Communication (sports media, multimedia journalism, and public relations)

Tiffany Michels

Tiffany Michels ’26
Spring Grove, Minn.
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Math, Data Analytics

Vanessa Nehmzow

Vanessa Nehmzow ’26
Rockford, Ill.
Majors: Social Work and Religion
Minor: Spanish

Nick Raine

Nicholas Raine ’27
Anamosa, Iowa
Majors: Music Education and Vocal Performance

Hayleigh Ries

Hayleigh Ries ’27
Dyersville, Iowa
Majors: Secondary Education (all sciences) and Biology

Cadance Schroer

Cadance Schroer ’27
Grundy Center, Iowa
Majors: Biology, Spanish, and Education (all science)

Louise Shabani

Louise Shabani ’25
Iowa City, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education

Ashley Stapley

Ashley Stapley ’26
Brisbane, Australia
Majors: English and Education

Vanessa Victoria

Vanessa Victoria ’27
Ottumwa, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education