New Student-Centered Peer Mentor Initiative Fosters Belonging and Well-Being

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For incoming School of Architecture undergraduate students who are experiencing the excitement, anxiety, discoveries and challenges that come along with one’s first semester at UVA, a newly launched program has been established to set the stage for a successful transition to university life. With a goal to foster belonging and well-being, this new student-centered initiative — the Peer Mentor Program — is designed to support first-year undergraduate students from the moment they commit to UVA, before they arrive on Grounds, and through their first semester.

“At the heart of the program is a simple belief that current students are among the most effective guides for helping new students acclimate to university life,” shared Associate Dean of Student Affairs Cindy Kiefer, who leads the program, in close collaboration with the peer mentors. “By leveraging the knowledge and experiences of current students, the Peer Mentor Program represents an investment in both incoming students and the future of the School of Architecture.”

Peer mentors, who are current School of Architecture students, are matched with a small group of incoming students to serve as consistent points of contact by providing regular check-ins, hosting group activities, and offering individualized support. They help new students navigate both academic and personal aspects of the transition, from understanding the culture of design education and managing studio demands to discovering favorite study spaces, restaurants, local attractions, and resources throughout Charlottesville and UVA. 

An important aspect of the program is to support students in establishing healthy habits and maintaining balance by encouraging engagement with the wider university and local community. In addition to mentorship focused on the academic aspects of student life, the program introduces students to opportunities for recreation, wellness, social connection, and exploration beyond the classroom.
 

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In its first year, seven third and fourth year undergraduate students were selected to serve as peer mentors, through an open, competitive application process. Each received specialized training focused on strengthening skills in communication, mentorship, active listening, and group facilitation. AJ Oliver (BSArch ’27), who serves as the program’s Lead Peer Mentor, was instrumental in developing, launching, and overseeing the program.

“Associate Dean of Student Affairs Cindy Kiefer and I worked closely over the past year with countless meetings and emails to formulate and implement the best version of this program so that it is something that not only has an impact on our current first-year cohort, but on those that will follow,” said Oliver. “The A-School student experience is very different from that of any other student at the University in so many ways, but a major one is that we learn just as much from our peers as we do from our professors. My fellow Peer Mentors and I are all in this role because we actively want to and have the tools, experiences, and knowledge to help these students be as successful as possible.”

The program offers meaningful leadership and professional development opportunities for the peer mentors, while allowing them to also reflect on their first-year experiences — evaluating what has helped in shaping their successes and what gaps could have been filled to serve them better during those first few months of being at UVA and the School of Architecture. 

“When I was a first-year, our peer mentors were a Welcome-Day-only amenity. Beyond that day, the burden to build a relationship with them fell onto the first-years,” shared Rachael Buchanan (BUEP ’28).  “A key component of our Peer Mentor program is the large scope and longer experience to facilitate meaningful mentorship. We began our prep work in April, each becoming NASPA-Certified Peer Educators. Throughout the summer, we sent emails to our mentees to check in and guide them through prepping to come to UVA. Our Welcome Day programming this year was extremely intentional and was the kickoff to an entire fall’s worth of mentorship programming, which will conclude in December.” 

Reflecting on her own experience, Buchanan went on to describe, “As a first-year who was split between the Architecture and Urban Planning majors, I was discouraged that there were no Planning student leaders selected to be peer mentors—nobody that demonstrated to us that A-School-wide student leadership and the undergraduate planning degree program aren’t mutually exclusive. This made choosing Planning over Architecture feel like choosing exile from my cohort, and when I declared the Urban Planning major, I resolved to be the type of student leader that I wish I had seen as a first-year.”
 

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The new program works in concert with the School of Architecture’s Alumni Mentorship Program, established six years ago by the A-School Young Alumni Council (AYAC), a group of recent graduates who work together to facilitate and strengthen connections between current students and the School’s young alumni. By building a trusted community of alumni volunteers, the Alumni Mentorship Program helps students build their personal and professional networks as a valuable part of their student experience and post-graduation life. 

Like the Peer Mentor Program model, this alumni-led initiative establishes small groups of several students and several alumni mentors, a format aimed at encouraging open conversation, listening, and support. While the Alumni Mentorship Program provides focused advice on career development and professional guidance for students, the success of the program over the years is highlighted by its broader goals of supporting students through community-building. 

Over the course of a student’s journey—from their decision to attend the UVA School of Architecture to their post-graduation paths—these two programs seek to strengthen the school community by increasing student engagement, improving access to resources, supporting student success, and creating a stronger culture of care and connection. 

“One of the most rewarding parts of serving as a Peer Mentor has been the opportunity to give back to a community that has supported me extensively throughout my time in the School of Architecture,” said Oliver. “This is one of the first times that I have been able to see something that I have designed be built, so I am excited to see it evolve and iterate to find the most effective ways to help new students find their place here in the A-School and the University more broadly.”

UVA School of Architecture Inaugural Peer Mentors

Roshni Ahuja (BS Arch ‘27)

Rachel Borowsky (BS Arch ‘27)

Rachael Buchanan (BUEP ‘28)

Amina Fall (BS Arch ‘27)

Aya Leone (BS Arch ‘27)

AJ Oliver (BS Arch ’27)

Sajani Silla (BS Arch ‘27)

Photos by Tom Daly