Peer Mentors

The Peer Mentor Program is designed to help new BIS students become acquainted with the BIS program, support those further along in their degrees, and foster a sense of community by hosting events and aiding in the New Student Orientation. As a student run organization, the Peer Mentor Program unifies peers as a community of thriving and successful students, and is guided by the foundational principles of the University of Virginia: honor, trust, integrity and respect.

The Structure of Peer Mentors and How it Works
Each fall, the BIS staff appoints an Associate Peer Mentor who helps with communication and coordination of Peer Mentor activities. In turn, each BIS location is overseen by a Lead Peer Mentor who helps recruit and train Peer Mentors at the specific location. When new students enter BIS, they are assigned to a Peer Mentor before classes begin.

Duties of a BIS Peer Mentor
In addition to assisting their mentees, the responsibilities of BIS Peer Mentors include:

attending all required Peer Mentor meetings and events
participating in New Student Orientation (for spring and fall semesters)
responding in a timely manner to requests from mentees via email and phone

Interested?
To become a Peer Mentor a BIS student must:

Submit a Peer Mentor Application and Agreement
Be in good standing in the BIS Program
Have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits or 2 semesters
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in BIS
Commit to a full academic year and be prepared to devote about 30 hours to the program.

If you are interested in serving as a Peer Mentor, please contact Julie May at jsm9z@virginia.edu.

* The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.

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I want my students to realize that good writing just doesn’t happen. You have to work at it.

A photograph of Charlotte Matthews

Charlotte Matthews

BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Charlotte Matthews is a well-regarded poet with three full-length poetry collections to her name. Also an associate professor in the BIS program, she delivers rigorous instruction in writing and revision while encouraging students to develop their own voice. In 2018, Charlotte received the Adelle F. Robertson Award, the school’s highest honor, for sustained excellence in providing new knowledge, instruction, and public service to the people, organizations, and institutions served by the University.

It is extremely energizing to teach adult students, especially the highly motivated students in our program.

A photograph of Stephen Levine

Stephen Levine

BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Stephen is an associate professor in BIS, and also serves as the program director. He has been teaching courses on U.S. cultural history since 2006, and, in addition to his work as an instructor, strives to increase access and flexibility at UVA to help adult learners reach their academic goals. Under his leadership, students are now able to complete the BIS degree entirely online.

It was very important to me to set an example for my three children. And earning my degree was a source of personal satisfaction.

A photograph of Marisela Perez

Marisela Perez

BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

As a part-time student and working mother of three, Marisela took advantage of flexible learning opportunities and employer reimbursement to earn her bachelor’s from SCPS. After completing her associate’s degree at a local community college, she enrolled in the BIS program part-time. She completed her degree online after relocating from Charlottesville to California, and now works as an accounting manager for Tri-Dim, who sponsored her SCPS studies.

I'm in a managerial position now. An SCPS degree provided the foundation for advancing in my career.

A photograph of Clifton Jones

Clifton Jones

BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

When Clifton began his academic career at UVA, it was as a biomedical engineering student in the rigorous Engineering School. Three years in, however, he realized that this field was not for him. He left Charlottesville to enter the workforce, and started applying his talents at a youth arts organization in Washington, DC. Now returning to UVA as a BIS student, Clifton is completing his undergraduate degree in his true area of interest, and is collecting skills that will help him advance his creative career.

At orientation, everyone was kind and supportive, and they make you feel welcomed as a UVA student. You get all the services you would expect from a university like this. It is amazing.

A photograph of Jesús Pino

Jesús Pino

BACHELOR OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Jesús came to SCPS by way of his home city of Córdoba, where he developed a passion for photography as the co-founder of a bimonthly arts and culture magazine. When he relocated to the United States for his wife’s job, he decided to advance his photography and advertising career with an undergraduate degree. Now a bachelor’s student at BIS, he’s making connections, developing expertise, and gaining experience in pursuit of his dream job.