BELONG Peer Mentorship Program helps students find connection

Starting college can bring uncertainty. Students may not know where to find opportunities, how to gain meaningful experience, or how to begin preparing for their future careers. The BELONG Peer Mentorship Program aims to make that transition easier by giving students another source of support within the College of Business Administration.

Students can learn more about BELONG at an upcoming event on Oct. 21 in Grawn Hall 278. During the event, students will learn about the program, the support peer mentors can provide, and how BELONG can help them build connections and explore opportunities within the CBA. BELONG connects students who have little or no experience with the CBA with peer mentors who have experience navigating college and exploring opportunities within the college. Through those relationships, students can ask questions, learn from others’ experiences, and become more comfortable finding their place within the CBA community.

“Belong is about making sure students know they don’t have to navigate college alone,” said MBA student Jade Walleman from Chesterfield, Mich. “By connecting students with experienced peers, we can create a community where they feel supported, discover opportunities, and grow together.”

That sense of community can be especially important for students adjusting to college without the same support network they had before coming to CMU.

“I would say to students that it can be intimidating starting college without a network of support like you had at home,” said Misty Bennett, associate dean of the College of Business Administration. “The BELONG peer mentorship program is all about helping students of all identities and experiences find peers who can help them learn how to navigate college life on CMU’s campus. We know that being able to build connections and feel like a part of the CMU community will help students succeed.”

Those peer relationships give students people to turn to with questions and a way to learn from others who have already navigated college life. For students new to the CBA, BELONG also offers an opportunity to begin building relationships within the college and become more comfortable seeking out new experiences.

Ultimately, BELONG is intended to help students find a sense of belonging within the College of Business Administration. Through peer mentorship, students can build a support network and know they do not have to navigate college alone.

Students interested in learning more about BELONG are encouraged to attend the Oct. 21 event in Grawn Hall 278.