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For a first-year student, navigating college life, future career decisions, and personal growth can feel, at times, like insurmountable tasks.

The good news is you don’t have to do it alone.

At the �鶹��, mentorship is a key driver of the 4D Experience, offering students support that extends beyond the classroom. ��You’ll find a wide range of opportunities to connect with people who provide guidance and support from day one and throughout your DU journey.

We talked to students and staff to help answer some common questions about finding and benefitting from mentorship.

What kinds of mentorship opportunities can I find at DU?

First-year students don’t have to look far to find their first mentorship opportunity. They are automatically matched with a 4D peer mentor, a first-year seminar (FSEM) faculty mentor and, for those who live on campus, a residential mentor.

Students also have the chance to connect with professors and peers in the classroom through shared academic interests. At DU, hands-on learning is a priority—each year, around 700 undergraduate students take part in research projects.

But formal programs are just the beginning. Across campus, people are eager to support students in more spontaneous ways, says Sam Anderson-Lehman, associate director of mentoring and planning on the 4D Experience Team.

“You never know where you will find a mentor on campus—the spontaneous interactions with DU faculty, staff, and peers offer support, perspective, or encouragement without the weight of formality or long-term commitment,” Anderson-Lehman says.

What makes a great mentor?

Berkeley Rebman (BSBA ’25), a new alum and former peer mentor who spoke at this year’s 4D Symposium, believes the best mentors are adaptable and invested in who you are. While they should push you out of your comfort zone, Rebman says a good mentor should also trust that you can and will do what you set out to do.

A great mentor doesn’t need to be in your desired career field or share your common interests to provide valuable support and encourage growth, says Anderson-Lehman.

“What matters is that you make a connection; you never know what someone is going to offer to your growth,” he says.

Find someone who encourages you to keep going when things get challenging, says graduate student Raluca Alexandrescu. This can be at any stage of your academic career and can apply to anything from joining a club to choosing a major or minor or applying for a scholarship.

“Surround yourself with people, whether they're professors or advisors or staff or just friends, who see your potential and encourage you,” Alexandrescu says.

How do I reach out?

Reaching out to someone you look up to or want to learn from can feel intimidating or a little bit scary, but it’s not an uncommon feeling.

Physics major Mia Burgener remembers being nervous before contacting Professor Jennifer Hoffman about joining her research group because she thought she didn’t have the right experience.

"I was afraid to get turned down. I didn't know how to code, I didn't know anything about binary stars. But I was just interested in it,” Burgener says. “I think that's really what the professors are looking for—someone who's interested and passionate about it. It's okay if you don't have the skills required, you can learn that along the way.”

One thing Anderson-Lehman says you can do to alleviate some of those nerves is to practice by reaching out to someone you have already met on campus.

And when you’re ready to connect with an alumnus who can help guide your transition from college to the workforce, the will help you find a match and craft that first message, he says.

How does mentorship make a difference?

Mentorship can support growth in any part of your life—whether you’re navigating academics, career goals, leadership development, or something else entirely.

As an added bonus, says Anderson-Lehman, “Mentors can also provide meaningful social interactions that make all the difference for your well-being and support as you continue on your 4D Experience at DU and beyond.”

Want to learn more about mentorship at DU? You can find it in the 4D Pathways widget in my 4D.