So, what exactly is a Student Success Peer Mentor? Peer mentors are there so students can fulfill Kapi’olani Community College’s motto, which is Kulia I Ka Nu’u, or “Strive for the Highest.” Peer mentors are there to answer questions students have about school, guiding them to the appropriate office to get their question answered, just basically there for you, the student and guiding you to the right path.
The motto for Student Success Peer Mentors is, Ho’okele, “navigating students through their journey of success.” We do not necessarily do things for the student, we guide them towards it. My name is Brianna, and I have been a peer mentor for almost nine months now, and I can honestly say that I love my job. Being a peer mentor, you get to help countless students on a daily basis, help them with any question they have and just try to make their day less stressful and get them to achieve what they set out looking for.
Peer mentors are trained on the latest financial aid, admissions, residency, registration, Brainfuse (an online learning tool the UH System uses) and STAR content. Peers are always up to date with training so we can be more efficient when the time comes. Peer mentors also put on the two-part SOS Workshop, “Healthy Relationships.”
We like to be involved with as many events going on around school as we can,so we can socialize with the students and initially just let them know we’re available. Peer mentors also put on various dances around school, lead STAR workshops, class presentations, New Student Orientations and a few Ice Cream Socials.
Peer mentors work at various sites around campus; you can find your peer mentors here:
Lama Library Help Desk (Library)
Kahikoluamea Center Help Desk (ʻIliahi 231)
Office of Student Activities (ʻIliahi 126)
Hospitality and Tourism Labs (ʻŌlapa 113 and 115)
Kekaulike Information & Service Center (Ilima 102)
First Year Experience Office (ʻIliahi 124)
Maida Kamber Center (Ilima 104)
Honda International Center (ʻIliahi 107)
Kuilei (High School Outreach) (ʻIliahi 127)
Culinary Department (ʻŌhelo 121)
Business, Legal and Technology Lab (Kopiko Ground Floor)
Just in Time & iCAN (ʻIliahi 231, Kahikoluamea)
If you see one of us, stop us. We are in the royal blue shirts that say, “Need help? Ask me!” or the collared shirts with the Kapi’olani Community College logo. Do not be afraid to approach us if you have a question or if you are lost, we’re MORE than happy to help!