Honors Peer Mentors are experienced honors students who will point you to classes and opportunities to enrich your academic experience while meeting the requirements to graduate with University Honors. These students share the conviction that University Honors is not just an achievement, but a community which fosters growth, connections, and self-discovery.
Click here to schedule a virtual appointment, visit the BHC during drop-in hours, or email a question to one of the peer mentors profiled below. Honors professional staff also offer advising. See the People Directory on this website for bios and contact information.
Click here to review the honors program curriculum before your appointment.
Honors Peer Mentoring and Advising
Honors professional staff advisors and peer mentors help you to individualize your honors education by highlighting classes and experiential learning options that fit with your interests and goals. Already have a plan for your 24 University Honors credits (12 coursework + 12 experiential)? Email your details to a peer mentor or pro-staff advisor for review!
Honors students are required to meet with an honors peer mentor once per academic year until they complete the 12 s.h. coursework requirement. They are strongly encouraged to check in yearly with an honors peer mentor or professional staff advisor until completion of the full required 24 University Honors credits.
Check your University Honors degree audit regularly to track your honors credits and to ensure you are progressing towards graduation with University Honors!
 Grant Welkhe/him/his Fourth-year student, Biochemistry with a Certificate in Public Health Advice for incoming students: “There is no singular path to follow in life. Take your time to explore new interests and opportunities. It will help you learn more about yourself, meet awesome new people, and find connections between fields of study.”
|
 Allison Becknershe/her/hers Fourth-year student, Political Science and Ethics & Public Policy with a History minor on the Pre-Law track
|
 Izzy Greenleeshe/her/hers Fourth-year student BSN program, Psychology minor Advice for incoming students: While college is an exciting new step, it can become overwhelming. Take it one day at a time and find support, whether that be through the people on your floor, a class, or club. Lastly, do whatever makes you happy! You only get to experience your first year of college once, so make the most of it. Schedule an appointment with Izzy here or email isabella-greenlee@uiowa.edu
|
 Hayley Petersshe/her/hers Fourth-year student, Biology B.A. (Pre-Veterinary) Advice for incoming students: Make time for things that give you joy! Not everything you do has to be work- or academic-related. Make room for every aspect of yourself and give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned.
|
 David Kimhe/him/his I am a third-year student majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-medicine track. I graduated from Ames High School in 2020 and have attended University of Iowa from Fall 2020. I love the outdoors and hope to get a lot of biking done this summer in between studying for the MCAT! Advice for incoming students: Checking and keeping your email inbox clean might be annoying, especially at the start of the year, but it’s worth it. You never know if there’s a perfect club, research opportunity, or on-campus job that makes its way into your inbox!
|
 Montala CarruthersHey everyone! My name is Montala (mon-tay-la) and I am a third-year student studying Public Health with a minor in Criminology and a Certificate in Trauma & Resilience. I am from the south side of Chicago which is where my love for food and traveling developed. On campus, I am apart of many organizations including Club Cheer, College of Public Health Student Ambassadors, and Honors Outreach Ambassadors. One piece of advice for incoming freshmen: Do not be easily discouraged! College is going to be filled with trial and error as you navigate this new journey, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t go as planned. Feel free to reach out to me about anything! :)
|
 Rylie Tushe/her/hers Fourth year student BSE Mechanical Engineering with Naval Science and Technology Certificate and Mathematics minor Advice for incoming students: Don't get so caught up in school that you forget to live your life. It is important to do well in school, but college is also a really fun and unique part of your life so don't forget to take time to enjoy it!
|
 Ainsley Bustershe/her/hers Second Year, BBA Finance, minor in Spanish, and certificate in Leadership Studies Advice for incoming students: Don’t be afraid to say hello! The honors program creates a close-knit community through classes and networking events, so be sure to take advantage of these events. I found some of my best friends through these opportunities and I am sure you will too!
|
 Leighton BarnesFourth year student, Chemistry and History double major with a French minor Advice for incoming students: While it's important to study, don't be afraid to find the things you love doing! Try new things - there are so many interesting things going on all the time - but remember to keep up with the things you already love. It makes it easier to do well in school when you're enjoying yourself!
|
 Nick Nachtmanhe/him/his Hi all! I am a third-year student studying Political Science and Sociology. Apart from being a member of the Honors Program, I am a member of Undergraduate Student Government, serving as the Director of Governmental Relations, and the social media manager for QLF, a lgbtq+ student organization on campus. When I’m not studying or working, I love to spent time with my roommates and friends, watch movies, and follow politics. I also collect records and bar/restaurant menus! Advice for incoming freshman: Remember that everyone else is in as strange and new environment as you are. It may seem like everyone else has everything figured out but I promise that they don’t. For many people, this is the first time that making friends and connections is a matter of effort and not who is simply in front of you at school or in activities. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people around you, either they will be grateful you did or they aren’t worth your time anyways!
|
Honors students and pre-law advisor Martha Kirby discuss preparing for law school and connecting Pre-Law to Honors Experiential Learning. (Presentation starts at about 1:45.)