“I feel more connected with the Honors College and generally with other students at UNM.”

Peer Mentorship makes a difference!

No student enters college knowing exactly what they want to do, how to do it, or where their path will lead. The college experience is about exploring, embarking on new adventures, making mistakes, leaving our comfort zone, sharing lived experiences, and learning from others.  

As Lobos, “each of us defines all of us.” Our differences are our strengths and our own paths are enriched when we give of ourselves to others. In 2019, the Honors College launched the Pathmaker Mentor Program to support and bring honors students together while they navigate their first-year college experience, building a strong, resilient community of scholars and leaders. The Pathmaker Program works to connect students with their peers, the Honors College, the University as a whole, avoiding potential isolation, loneliness, or feelings of disconnection, so that they may have the best experience possible at UNM. 

“As a mentee, I became more engaged in the Honors College Community.

As a mentor, I have had the privilege of meeting students in similar fields of study; and was able to direct them to student organizations, job opportunities, and volunteer opportunities” 

UNM Honors Student

ESTABLISHED BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS 

The Pathmakers Program was established by students for students and is led by a four-person student leadership team consisting of a Mentor Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Event Coordinator, and Service Coordinator. This team leads a cohort of over 40 peer mentors as they help over 500 new UNM Honors College students build connections across the university, while introducing students to volunteer opportunities in the broader Albuquerque community.

P A T H M A K E R S B U I L D C O N N E C T I O N S

The impact of the Pathmakers was evident during the Covid-19 pandemic and the numerous virtual events they delivered while instruction was remote helped Honors students stay connected to UNM. Both in-person activities and virtual activities are underway this academic year including:

PATHMAKER PANELS

• Wide range of topics (Pre-med, international opportunities, creative writing workshops)
• Bring outside information to students, allowing them to meet other students and faculty who are interested in the topic.
    

COMMUNITY-FOCUSED EVENTS

• Trivia Nights, Yoga, Cookie Decorating, movie nights, etc.
• Purely social activities to allow students to have fun and interact with students they may not meet elsewhere.
    

HONORS COLLEGE-THEMED EVENTS

• Registration aid, open houses, lecture series, etc.
• Encourages students to continue participating in the Honors College and continue to take Honors courses. 

SERVICE

• Partnering with Albuquerque organizations (RoadRunner Food Bank, Joy Junction, Watermelon Mountain Ranch).
• Helping aid local organizations while introducing students to experiences outside of UNM

YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE 

The Pathmaker Mentorship Program has proven to be invaluable to the UNM Honors College and the benefits to our students, mentors, faculty, and staff are significant. We look forward to this program further helping our students as it grows with the College. Please make your gift today. 

When we invest in programming like this, we invest in our students’ futures, and in the future of New Mexico.

THANK YOU