Residential Peer Mentors

What is a Residential Peer Mentor (RPM)?
Residential Peer Mentors (RPMs) at UTA in the Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) are dedicated student leaders committed to supporting the academic and personal success of first-year students and beyond. Serving as positive role models, RPMs promote a culture of learning and growth within the RLCs, facilitating students' transition to university life. From organizing engaging academic and social events to offering support and referrals for on-campus services, RPMs play a crucial role in fostering a supportive community for RLC participants. By providing mentorship, encouragement, and resources, RPMs help students navigate the challenges of their first year and thrive both academically and personally. Through collaboration with RLC staff, faculty, and fellow RPMs, they contribute to building a vibrant and inclusive community where students can excel and reach their full potential.

Residential Peer Mentors

Ayla Hutmacher

Lavender Legacies (Vandergriff Hall)

Major: Sociology, Minors: Gender Women & Sexuality Studies & Environment and Sustainability Studies (Junior)

Hometown: Gerogetown, Texas

Camira Fomunung

Nursing (KC Hall)

Major: Nursing (Junior)

Hometown: Wylie, TX

Courtney Bell

Terry Scholars (Vandergriff Hall)

Major: Interdisciplinary Studies (Communication, Broadcasting & Politucal Science), Junior

Hometown: Blach Springs, TX

Deepesh Bhatia

Engineering (Vandergriff Hall)

Major: Computer Science, Sophomore

Hometown: Hoshiapur, Punjab, India

Emily Calzada

Texas Leadership Scholars (Arlington Hall)

Major: Business Management

Arlington, TX

Janine Ganal

Nursing (KC Hall)

Major: Nursing (Junior)

Hometown: Forney, TX

Jessica Martinez

Science & Pre-Med (KC Hall)

Major: Biology, Minors: Spanish & Psychology (Senior)

Hometown: Haltom City, Texas

Jolie Gaines

Engineering (West Hall)

Major: Aerospace Engineering, Sophomore

Hometown: Amarillo, Texas

Kendall Trevino

Honors (Vandergriff Hall)

Major: History with Secondary Teacher Certification (Senior)

Hometown: Kennedake, Texas

King (George) Oliphant

Art & Design (West Hall)

Major: Studio Art (BFA), Sophomore

Hometown: Waco, TX

Mariela Hernandez

(Latino/a/e/x Undergraduate Community for Engagement & Success) (Vandergriff Hall)

Major: Bilingual Education, EC- Grade 6 (Sophomore)

Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

Neli Dolecki

Architecture (West Hall)

Major: Architecture (Sophomore)

Hometown: Keller, TX

Persjah Carter

Mavs RISE (West Hall)

Major: Public Relations & Advertising (Junior)

Hometown: New York City, New York

Samanza Ahmed

Engineering (West Hall)

Major: Computer Engineering, Minor: Data Science (Junior)

Hometown: Bangladesh

WANT TO BECOME A RPM?

To support Residential Learning Community (RLC) students' academic and personal success in their first year and beyond. To enhance personal leadership skills through helping first year students successfully transition to university life. 

  • Serve as a leader and positive role model to RLC students and the university campus as a whole

  • Promote a culture of learning and personal, academic, and professional growth with the first year students in the RLC

  • Serve as a peer educator in a UT Arlington sponsored UNIV course for the RLC in fall 2024

  • Develop monthly academic and social programming events for students living in the assigned RLC in both fall and spring semesters

  • Coordinate, advertise, and maintain a weekly office hours and study sessions for RLC students in the residence hall

  • Coordinate, advertise, and maintain monthly meal gathering/meeting with RLC students

  • Attend RPM meetings with RLC staff (large group, small group, and individual meetings) - weekly all staff meetings will be held at 12pm on Wednesdays. Please arrange your schedule accordingly.  

  • Provide appropriate referrals to on campus academic and personal services useful to students and communicate any concerns about students in a timely manner

  • Foster community within the RLC and residence hall through academic support, referral, and encouragement as well as social interaction

  • Interact with students in a professional manner on the residence hall floor and maintain appropriate professional relationships throughout the year

  • Collaborate with Resident Assistant(s) to build community on the residence hall floor

  • Collaborate with RLC staff, Apartment and Residence Life staff, faculty, and other Residential Peer Mentors

  • Maintain positive relationships with Resident Assistant(s) and Resident Director(s) in the residence hall (participate in monthly meeting with each)

  • Attend all floor meetings for the RLC

  • Encourage students to get involved within the RLC and on campus/in the community

  • Attend all required trainings - tentative fall & spring training (TBD) 

  • Assist with RLC recruitment events (dates occur throughout the academic year, typically in October, February, and March)

  • Must be an undergraduate student

  • Must have a minimum cumulative and semester GPA of 2.75

  • Previous experience passing a UNIV course

  • Previous experience as a member of a RLC preferred, but not required

  • Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to maintain confidentiality

  • Must be able to attend and complete fall training

  • Must be able to commit to the position for the full academic year

  • Must be in good academic and judicial standing with the university

  • All RPMs must live in their assigned residence hall for the full academic year on the same residence hall floor as the RLC students are housed

Residential Peer Mentors are compensated at an hourly rate of $13.00 per hour for 6 hours per week during the fall semester and 3 hours per week for the spring semester.  This hourly pay covers assisting with the UNIV course, office hours, study group hours, and weekly RPM all staff meeting. 

Compensation for the additional RPM duties (monthly programming, meetings with residence hall staff, meetings with RLC staff, etc.) comes from a stipend for housing and meal plan expenses.

RPMs receive a stipend for 30% of their housing cost and 100% of the cost of the lowest tier of the orange meal plan (Orange 300). This is paid directly to housing on your behalf and you will not receive a paycheck for the amount. Your billable amount for these charges will be reduced by the appropriate percentage before being charged to you.
*Depending on your residence hall cost, the total amount for the stipend ranges from roughly $5,989-6,208 for the academic year.
*Percentages and amounts are subject to change based on housing rates.