A new initiative at University of Houston Libraries is transforming the way Coogs learn and collaborate.

Peer mentors with Teaching and Learning librarians Carolina Hernandez and Mea Warren at the recent Books and Bubbly event

The peer mentor program, led by student success librarian Carolina Hernandez, expands the reach of information literacy efforts offered by the Teaching and Learning team. Peer mentors comprise a small cohort of undergrads who are learning research and teaching skills, and who will go on to teach their peers across campus through co-curricular engagement while building community among UH students.

The goal of the pilot program is to improve information literacy and student success outcomes. Information literacy “is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning,” as stated in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.

“Peer-assisted learning has been shown to not only improve students’ understanding, but can also give students a sense of belonging,” said Hernandez. “We hope that, through getting help from peer mentors, students will feel more welcome and comfortable with using UH Libraries.”

Sophia Sanchez, a first-year biochemistry major, is a peer mentor who learned about the program during UH Weeks of Welcome. “I was intrigued by the opportunities it presented, and the work environment provided by the library really appealed to me,” she said.

This semester, Sanchez has learned how to approach lesson planning, research counseling, and team communication. “These skills will be useful in my own future research and team settings,” she said. “I’m grateful to be able to gain leadership experience through teaching this early in my college career.”

“Peer learning is an essential skill to have, as it’s not only about teaching others with less experience; it’s also about connecting with peers who share your level of expertise and helping them pick up new abilities or even improve existing ones,” said Lexi Gaddis, a first-year pre-business major who plans to study marketing. Through peer mentor training, Gaddis has learned about creating research topics and using library databases to find scholarly resources, information she’s looking forward to sharing with other undergrads.

Gabrielle Epps is excited to see how the peer mentor program develops. She is inspired by the importance of student engagement in teaching and learning, and creating space for students to ask questions. She says peer mentors contribute to UH student success by being an additional resource that can reach more students and equip them with the right tools.

Nilesh Garg notes that peer mentoring can help students navigate the range of resources available at the University, such as books, peer-reviewed articles, and other academic tools. “It’s a valuable service that helps bridge the gap between students and professional librarians by offering guidance from peers who have a similar academic background,” Garg said. “It empowers students to become more confident and self-sufficient in their academic work.”

UH Libraries peer mentors are completing training, and in spring 2025, will be available to meet with students one-on-one for research assistance. The peer mentors encourage Coogs to take advantage of the widely accessible services the Teaching and Learning team offers. Students of any major can benefit from the introductory information literacy guides and videos developed by librarians, and can contact the team with specific academic and research-related questions.