Peer Mentor “Save the Date” Information

Your law school needs you!

Attention mentoring-minded 2Ls and 3Ls!   A service opportunity awaits.  In a few weeks we will be accepting applications for Peer Mentors for the incoming 1L students.  You would shepherd a group of newbies at Orientation and serve as a resource for your group of 1Ls throughout the year.  It’s fun, rewarding, looks good on a resume, and involves several free meals and a T-shirt.  We anticipate that the Peer Mentor selection process will be very competitive this year, and that not all applicants will be selected.

We are anticipating some significant changes to the Orientation schedule, including a move to a longer Orientation with more substantive programming, so I wanted to give you some information that will help as you plan for your return next Fall.

The application itself will be posted in late June or early July, so please watch for that a little later in the summer.

Important Peer Mentor Dates and Responsibilities:

• Support first year JD students as they transition to law school
• Contact incoming 1L advisees in the summer before they arrive to welcome them to the Memphis Law and answer questions (and allay concerns) they may have about law school and Memphis
• Attend Peer Mentor training (TBA – likely August 4th or 5th)
• Attend the Belz Reception (TBA – likely Sunday, August  7th, but this is not yet certain)
• Attend all Orientation activities on Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9
• Attend other Orientation events, as needed on Wednesday, August 10, Thursday, August 11, and Friday, August 12.  (We only expect to need the Peer Mentors for lunches and evening activities on Wednesday, August 10, Thursday, August 11, and Friday, August 12)
• Attend SBA-related Orientation events during the week of Orientation
• Act as a mentor throughout Orientation and beyond, actively helping incoming students navigate the law school and maximize the numerous opportunities and resources available here
• Foster a positive attitude, community, and camaraderie within and across the first-year sections and throughout the law school community
• Maintain regular contact throughout the entire first year with your assigned 1L section and communicate information about student organizations, activities, classes, exam strategies, and summer opportunities
• Organize at least two informal gatherings for the students during each semester
• Refer advisees to appropriate counseling or administrative resources if they are having academic or personal difficulties

Peer Mentor Qualifications

• Completed at least one year at Memphis Law
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Capacity for discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Leadership, maturity, good judgment, creativity — and enthusiasm!
• Positive attitude
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of law students, faculty, and staff
• Thoughtfulness about the challenges and opportunities 1L students face
• Committed to building community at Memphis Law

Please let Dean Aden know if you have any questions.