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Peer Mentor Program

ACAD 101

ACAD (Principles of the Learning Academy) 101 is a required course for all first year Winthrop students and is part of the University’s Touchstone Core. ACAD, in addition to its other conjunctive courses, serves as an introduction to university life and begins the process of teaching students how to think critically. Beyond this, ACAD 101 covers a variety of topics such as campus engagement, time management, and health and wellness.

Peer Mentors

ACAD 101 is one of few courses at the university specifically designed to have a co-teacher. These carefully selected Winthrop students are hired and trained to serve as Peer Mentors to work with university instructors to teach the ACAD 101 course. Peer Mentors work to assist students through their transitional stages at Winthrop and are knowledgeable of ACAD 101 course material, academic/university policies, and available campus resources.

By having a Peer Mentor in the ACAD 101 class, students get the assistance of an upperclassman specially trained to aid them throughout their first semester at Winthrop. Peer Mentors meet individually with their students to discuss personal issues and concerns and help make each student’s transition to college as smooth as possible. Having a Peer Mentor allows students to gain information about leadership and community service opportunities, as well as have a personal lifeline to refer questions to in regards to the freshman experience.