Peer Navigator Program

As an incoming WSE master’s student you can be part of the Peer Navigator program and be matched with a WSE Peer Navigator or mentor. The Navigators are currently enrolled WSE master’s students. They are paired with a group of incoming students (that is you!) and serve as mentors as you transition into graduate school and throughout your first semester in your program.

The role of peer navigators is to provide support, encouragement, and information. Peer navigators serve as graduate student life guides on work-life balance, adjusting to life in Baltimore, advisor/advisee relationships, and more!

• Familiarize yourself with campus and local resources that are useful in the transition to graduate school.  You will be a resource to your mentees prior to and upon their arrival to campus.  i.e. Off campus housing resources, getting connected to on campus health care, local amenities such as grocery stores, hair salons/barbers, restaurants, outdoor opportunities, time management, etc.
• Contact your mentees to introduce yourself as soon as you have their contact information. The information from the request for a peer navigator will be emailed to you within 1 week of the closing of the request. This will include details about your mentees
• Attend Peer Navigator planned events offered during your mentees first semester with JHU. Student Affairs will plan 2 events in the first semester of the mentees’ program to offer opportunities to engage with your mentees and with other navigators. If you are unable to attend the events due to an academic or work related conflict you will need to inform the peer navigator advisor (Assistant Dean for Engineering Student Affairs), and plan an alternative meeting time to engage with mentees. Student Affairs will be able to provide a small budget per mentee/navigator to supplement the cost of engagement.
  • i.e. Coffee hour, lunch, or visit to local attractions, neighborhoods, etc.
• Assist your mentee in goal/expectation setting for the relationship. As a graduate student you have your own set of priorities and a busy schedule.  Setting goals and expectations at the start of your relationship can help you to create reasonable boundaries with your mentee.
• Have fun! Mentorship is an exciting opportunity to share the knowledge and experience that you have gained in your time as a graduate student.  Enjoy the community and relationship building aspect of the program.