The Premier Honors College of the Nation's Capital Area
PrePAIR Connections
PrePAIR Connections
The PrePAIR Connections Mentoring Program is for our first-year underrepresented minority students and first-generation students interested in increasing social connectedness, professional development opportunities, and creating a sense of belonging within our Honors community. Through this program we seek to improve the pathways for new Honors Terps to have a more impactful transition to UMD and the Honors College community. First-year students can click this link to opt-in and be paired with a mentor.
Opting into this opportunity means:
Being paired with a peer mentor or small group to help you navigate your first year
Professional development workshops (i.e. time management, networking, etc)
Social events (i.e. movie nights, game nights, etc)
Academic success tips to include which resources you have available and how do you use them
To opt in you should identify as a first-year student who identifies as either Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and/or a first-generation student.
“Congratulations on your acceptance into the Honors College; this is a testament to your hard work and dedication! As you weigh your options for undergraduate studies, remember to choose a school that aligns with your personal, professional, and academic goals, allowing you to thrive and grow. I do not doubt that you will make a fantastic choice. Best of luck as you embark on this journey!”
– Esohe Owie
“My parents never took an SAT, wrote a supplemental, applied for a scholarship, or even knew what a “Common App” was, and college wasn’t even something they attended until they were 24 in a whole different country. So when it came time for myself, as a 17-year-old high school junior to start thinking about applying to colleges I felt lost and hopeless about doing as well as I could. When my parents tried helping with essays or planning it just felt more complicated and worse. I’m not the best at asking for help, but at that point, I was ready to. I started reaching out to freshmen in college I knew, friends with siblings, and even admission officers from my region to get some insight on what I should be doing. One of the most helpful was a friend of a friend who happened to be a UMD student in the Honors College, specifically ILS. He was so kind and understanding, answered all my questions and follow-ups (and follow-ups to those), told me about his experience, the good and the less positives, and helped me come to my decision. Today I cannot be more grateful to Aryan, his insights introduced me to the UMD Honors College, where I found so many more individuals like myself. Students from all walks of life who had to navigate the application process without their family’s help, and similarly are now navigating the American college system for the first time in their families. Those people are now some of my best friends, and together we help each other through this complex, yet extremely fun experience. And for those who read this know that you are never alone. There are so many like us out there, and even more resources, as scary as it might seem, reach out, there is no shame in asking for help, and even more than that I promise you those you ask will be thrilled to help you. You will make it!”
– Ariel Abraham
If you have any questions, please email the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Inclusive Communities, Ms. Chantelle Smith, at casmith@umd.edu.
