Division of Student Affairs > Student Life > For New Students > Transfer Peer Mentors @ DePaul

Transfer Peer Mentors @ DePaul

Transfer Peer Mentors

The Transfer Peer Mentor program aims to jumpstart your success at DePaul by ensuring a successful transition. You will be guided through your first year at DePaul with a mentor to support you, one-on-one. The mentors are transfer students beyond their first year who have shown success in academics and out of class leadership. They have been where you are now and can serve as a trusted resource whenever you need it.

Timeline

Students receive an email invitation to participate in the program about two weeks prior to the quarter they begin. If you do not receive this, email us at transfer@depaul.edu to inquire.

Matching

DePaul utilizes the Mentor Collective Platform to match you with a mentor based on your interests. This could be identities, college or area of study, hobbies, past experiences and more!

FAQ

The mentor will guide you in engaging conversations. This could be about out of class interest, academics or more! You can also talk about the ups and downs of being a transfer student at a new institution. A mentor can help make sure you know about all the great academic and experiential resources at DePaul. They can jumpstart your involvement!

It's free. This program is included in tuition and fees for all transfer students.

Mentors can meet with you in-person at both campuses as well as online, over Zoom. Drop-in mentoring is also available Mondays -Thursday in the Loop in the ACE Study Lounge (DPC 11017).


Events

The Transfer Coordinator and Transfer Peer Mentors plan events from time to time just for transfer students like you! Our DeHub page has information about upcoming events and activities.

Additional assistance

If you are a transfer student matched with a mentor, start by asking them any questions you have. If you need additional assistance, email us at transfer@depaul.edu

Meet the Mentors

Nicholas (he/him) is a User Experience Design major concentrating in Design. He is a member of over three honors societies at DePaul and participates in many DePaul groups/organizations including the DePaul American Institute of Graphic Arts, DePaul Experience Design Roundtable, and DePaul User Experience Association. Nicholas enjoys being a mentor because it gives him an opportunity to be able to give back and help incoming students to better prepare and adjust to their newfound academic journey at DePaul.

Marelena (she/her) is from Burr Ridge, IL and transferred to DePaul from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is studying Psychology with a minor in Medical Anthropology. Marelena enjoys spending time in nature, exercising, trying new restaurants, and watching movies. She loves that DePaul is in the city and you never run out of things to do—she particularly enjoys the Chicago food scene. When asked about why she became a mentor, Marelena says, “I had a very difficult process transferring and now I'm the happiest I've ever been, so I would love to help people reach that same level of fulfillment and satisfaction with their choice.”

Madisyn (she/her) came to DePaul from Pace University and grew up in Lemont, IL. She is majoring in Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies and says that the PAX program and her professors are her favorite thing about DePaul. In her spare time, you’ll find Madisyn going on walks with her dog, reading, and going to new places. Her favorite thing about Chicago? “Always being able to eat at new restaurants and the people!” Madisyn became a mentor because she wanted to help others transition to a new environment and be a friendly face in what can be a stressful time.

Natalie (she/her) is a junior and majoring in Real Estate. She transferred from the College of Lake County in 2019 as a sophomore. Natalie became a Transfer Peer Mentor because she enjoys helping students, especially since she was in their same shoes not that long ago. She also thinks it important for transfer students to be supported as much as incoming freshmen. In addition to being a Transfer Peer Mentor, Natalie is also an Orientation Leader and a STARS Peer Mentor. A fun fact about Natalie is that she is really into geography and enjoys memorizing state and country capitals!

Parvathy (she/her) goes by Parv and originally hails from Darien, IL. She transferred to DePaul from Elmhurst University and is studying User Experience Design. Parv loves to hang out with friends, listen to music, visit small coffee shops, and explore new places in her spare time. Her favorite thing about DePaul is that it is not like a traditional college environment, and the campus feels welcoming to all students. When asked about why she became a mentor, she says, “The reason I wanted to become a mentor was that I wanted to help other transfer students tackle any problems they may face while trying to settle in. I want to be able to take what I learned in my experience and share tips and tricks that worked for me. Ultimately, helping find everyone's place at DePaul is what I hope to gain from this experience.”

Andrea (she/her) came to DePaul from Joliet Junior College. She grew up in Romeoville, IL and is now a senior, majoring in Communications & Media with a minor in Creative Writing. She loves that the two different campuses that make up DePaul give you the best of both worlds. She especially loves the downtown loop area for the plethora of different people there. Andrea became a Transfer Peer Mentor because she loves creating new connections with people. “Being able to help others achieve their academic goals while creating connections in wonderful!”

Harkim (she/her) went to the University of Wisconsin before coming to DePaul. She is a graduate student studying Business Analytics. Originally from Punjab, India, Harkim enjoys reading books, watching movies, sketching, and workouts. Her favorite things about DePaul are the multi-cultural environment, student resources, and the welcoming campus. Harkim loves the Loop because of its wonderful restaurants and places to hang out. She was thrilled to become a mentor because of the wonderful opportunity to help fellow transfer students settle into their new environment.

Jael (she/her) came to DePaul from Butler University and is a junior majoring in History. Chicago is her hometown, and she loves that there’s always a fun event going on or something to do. In her spare time, Jael likes reading, watching movies, and finding new coffee shops. When asked about why she became a mentor, she says, “I want to help people transferring to DePaul have a transfer experience as easy and as comfortable as others were able to make mine.”

Kathy (she/her) is from Chicago and transferred from University of Phoenix to DePaul. She is an adult student studying Business Administration in the School for Continuing & Professional Studies. Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and cooking. Her favorite thing about DePaul is the faculty: “Everyone is extremely helpful and committed to ensuring students have the tools needed to succeed.” She became a Transfer Peer Mentor because she loves to help people. “We can always learn something new from others. Becoming a mentor is a great opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with others to help them on their journey.”

Kiley (she/her) is from Graylake, IL and transferred to DePaul from McHenry County College. She is currently a senior, studying philosophy and sociology. In her spare time, she likes to play & listen to music as well as write and read. She loves how many things there are to do in Chicago and appreciates the great faculty at DePaul. When asked about why she became a mentor, she says “I love helping people because when I was a transfer, having someone to help me through the process would have been so beneficial.”

Kyra (she/her) transferred to DePaul from Harper College and is a junior, majoring in Communication & Media. She is originally from Palatine and is excited to live in Chicago now. Kyra’s favorite thing about DePaul is its location and she loves all the things there are to do in the city—the restaurants, parks, place to walk, and things to do. “I wanted to become a mentor because when I transferred to DePaul last year, I felt like I went through the entire process on my own. I was not able to get a lot of help or advice from people that went through something similar, which I felt would have been extremely helpful.” She is glad to now be able to serve in that role for others.

Rebecca (she/her) is a junior studying Psychology in the College of Science & Health.

Ruchi (she/her) is from Sunnyvale, California and transferred to DePaul from UC Santa Cruz where she is now a sophomore majoring in Journalism. She enjoys cooking, sewing, and spending time outside in nature. Her favorite thing about DePaul is the location and she appreciates that Chicago has a convenient and environmentally friendly public transport system. When asked about being a mentor, Ruchi says, “Transferring schools is stressful and hectic, and I'd like to help others have the most seamless transfer possible.”