Mentoring at NIU
You don't have to figure it out alone. Our mentoring programs connect you with someone who's been where you are.
You'll talk through the things that actually come up: choosing a major, balancing school and work, finding your people and deciding what comes after graduation.
Get Matched With a Mentor
We match you with a mentor based on shared interests, background, academics or career goals. Register, complete a short online survey, then pick your program and we'll do the rest.
Choose Your Mentor Experience
Each of our programs offers something different. All are open to students who meet program requirements.
Ohana Mentoring Program
Asian American Resource Center
Ohana means family. Build academic and leadership skills in weekly meetings with a peer academic coach.
Explore OhanaUmoja Mentoring Initiative
Center for Black Studies
Connect with peers and with our faculty, staff and alumni through a network built around your success.
Explore UmojaHuskie Student Life Excellence Development (SLED) Mentors
Center for Student Assistance
Get support inside and outside the classroom, from time management and study skills to finding campus resources.
Explore SLEDDisability Resource Center Mentoring Program
Disability Resource Center
Pair with a trained peer mentor to build self-advocacy, communicate with professors and understand your accommodations.
Explore DRC MentoringHuskie Academic Success Center Mentoring Program
Huskie Academic Success Center
Set academic and career goals with a mentor trained to help you build confidence and find study tools.
Explore HASC MentoringMETAS Program
Latino Resource Center
METAS means goals in Spanish. Find a home away from home during your first year, with social, cultural and academic support.
Explore METAS
Become a Mentor
Many students who start out with a mentor come back to serve as one. You'll build leadership and communication skills while helping another Huskie find their footing.
I decided to become a mentor here as I would not be where I am now without my mentors and I want to help someone as much as I was helped.
Why Mentorship?
Hear from students who've been matched.
What Will You Talk About?
- How will my major shape my career options?
- How do I balance school, work and a social life?
- How do I set myself up for academic and career success?
- How do I build connections with peers and professionals?
The Impact of Mentoring
They took assignments that felt insurmountable and made them doable. They helped narrow things down, guided me on next steps and just helped me execute on the tasks I had been overwhelmed by before.
The reason why I became a mentee is so I can learn how to get through college and manage my time better. I want to get better at managing it all!
By the Numbers
100+Students Matched
55Peer Mentors
56%First-Generation Participants
Figures reflect Fall 2025-Spring 2026.
Why Mentor Collective?
We partner with Mentor Collective to match students with mentors, which is why registration happens on their website. Their platform handles the matching and gives you and your mentor one place to connect.
NIU joined the partnership through a grant from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, alongside five other public universities working to strengthen peer mentoring. Read more in NIU Today's story on the partnership.
Resources from Mentor Collective: for students seeking a mentor and for students serving as mentors.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're looking for a mentor or ready to be one, registration starts on the Mentor Collective website.