Psychology Academic Peer Mentoring Program

Several years ago the Psychology Department initiated a new program. Each first year psychology major living on campus is contacted by upper level psychology peer advisorsduring the first month of the semester. Those peer advisors will serve as the freshman psychology major's Psychology Academic Mentor, facilitating the new student's transition to USM by introducing them to some of the activities offered by the Psychology Department. For example, we have a student-led Psychology Club that offers a variety of activities, including trips to professional psychology conferences. First year students have the opportunity to attend the New England Psychological Association Conference, the Eastern Psychological Association Convention and even the American Psychological Association Convention which is scheduled to be held in Boston in 2008. The Psychology Mentoring program has also helped many students get involved with the Psychology Club, attend Psychology Colloquia and learn more about department courses. 

The Psychology Academic Mentoring program is available for all first year Psychology majors. It is our sincere hope that this program will make it easier for you to feel at home in the Psychology Department right from the start of your college career. We encourage all of you to become involved in this program and look forward to meeting you soon. 

The Academic Peer Advisor for 2007-2008 Academic Year is Cara Olfene. She will be assisted by Kristen Onos.

Kristen Onos is a senior psychology major and business minor at USM This summer she was one of USM's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows, working with Vince Markowski on a behavioral toxicology research project. This is her second year as an academic peer advisor in the Psychology Department!

Kristin Onos