Student Diversity and Inclusion

The Mission of the Peer Support Program is to increase the success and retention rates of first-year Columbia College Chicago students. The program connects first-year underrepresented students with upper-class peer mentors. Peer mentors coordinate opportunities for students to become acclimated to the campus and Chicago area, as well as to develop their personal, academic, social and cultural experiences through programming and guidance.

Matthew Rillie
618 S Michigan, Suite 405  
Phone: (312) 369-7825
Email: mrillie@colum.edu

• Peer Support Drop In Hours

  Peer Support Mentors are available to meet and offer support directly from your peers. 

  The hours will be on pause in the summer and will continue at the start of Fall 2023.

• "Our First Year"
  

  “Our First Year” is a podcast dedicated to sharing advice, tips, and resources to increase the success and retention rates of first year students. This podcast came from discussions with the Peer Support Mentors recognizing that they wanted to expand their reach to more students while still offering the depth of mentorship they do with their mentees. The podcast is led by students and is for students, focusing on the peer support that resonates so much with our community.

  You can find the podcast on Spotify: “Our First Year – Columbia College Chicago”

  And for a captioned version, on our YouTube: @ColumbiaChiSDI with its own playlist, “Our First Year”

• Benefits

  Starting your college experience can be overwhelming, but many successful students benefit from having a mentor to guide them in this process. With the Peer Support Program, you can:

  • receive support from an upper-class peer mentor.
  • be placed in a family cluster of fellow mentees.
  • connect with offices and programs across campus.
  • attend social and educational events to enhance your first-year experience.
  • develop positive relationships that can last a lifetime.