Peer Mentoring
Peer mentors are student employees (other college students) from a variety of disciplines who work one on one with a similar aged peer with an intellectual disability. The role of a mentor is primarily to be an example, guide, and advocate for the students they work with. Mentors are student employees who work part-time. They are not on call 24/7 and do not provide expert advice or mental health services.
Aggies Elevated students receive up to 10 hours a week of peer mentoring to work on their academic, social, independent living, and career skills and goals. Peer mentors provide support that is individualized to each student’s needs and goals. This includes helping them organize their schedules and tasks, listening to problems and giving advice or suggestions about how to solve them, participating in campus and community activities together, working on goals, and helping students develop skills to live independently.
Study Groups & Tutoring
Study groups are run by AE staff and mentors. They are dedicated time for students to study and complete coursework with structured support and guidance. Aggies Elevated offers up to 5 hours of study groups per week. Study group is mandatory for the first few weeks of each semester to help students get off to a good start.
Aggies Elevated has a variety of volunteers each semester who can provide individual tutoring for students. Eligibility for this service is determined by AE administration based on tutor availability, schedules, and student need.
Staff Check-Ins
Each student meets weekly with an AE administrative staff member to review grades, reflect on goals and progress, evaluate mental health and overall wellbeing, problem-solve, and discuss any questions or concerns the student may have. Weekly check-ins with AE administrative staff are vital to student success. They provide a set time and place for students to discuss their needs, wants, and growth and allow AE administrative staff to monitor student safety and wellbeing.
Independent Living & Social Activities
Aggies Elevated hosts and/or coordinates a few activities each semester focused on developing independent living and social skills. Students, mentors, and staff work together to identify areas of growth and plan events based on student interest and needs.
Campus & Community Partners
Aggies Elevated collaborates with a variety of campus and community resources to provide further supports and opportunities to students.
- Campus mental health services
- Disability Resource Center
- Residence Assistants (RAs) & Housing/Res Life
- Student government & organizations
- OPTIONS for Independence (Logan)
- Common Ground adaptive recreation (Logan)
- Active ReEntry (Price)
Extent of Supports
Aggies Elevated does not provide 24/7 support or supervision. Like most university programs and offices, Aggies Elevated operates 9-5 Monday through Friday. Students must be able to problem solve and use natural supports (parents, family, friends, roommates, etc.) and campus/community resources during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Peer mentors may be available some evening or weekend hours, if pre-arranged, so students can participate in campus and community activities.
Role of Parents & Families
Moving away from home and starting a new chapter in life is challenging for both a young adult and their parents/family. In high school, parents are the primary contact and advocate for their student/child. Once a young adult starts college, the parents become a secondary contact and advocate. Your role is vital and important, but it does change. This is no different for Aggies Elevated students.
Privacy/confidentiality laws (FERPA) apply to all university students. Aggies Elevated works under the supported decision-making model, which means we expect that students will be in the “driver’s seat” and at the table for every discussion about their education and life after college. Students are the primary point of contact for the university and the program. We encourage students to share information and communicate frequently with their parents and support team.
Every college freshman has their parents on speed dial! Natural supports are typical for ALL college students. We encourage Aggies Elevated students and parents to stay in regular contact.
It is expected that Aggies Elevated students will rely on those that know them best (parents, family, friends, roommates, etc.) for help and guidance through challenging circumstances. Natural supports help college students navigate emergencies, emotional crises, friendships and romantic relationships, problem-solving, managing money, monitoring health, accessing medical care, and providing comfort and encouragement.