Ivy Campbell (front row, far right) and her fellow Morgridge Peer Mentors post outside Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado.

Written by Ivy Campbell

When choosing a university, I selected MSU Denver because it aligned perfectly with my personal ambitions and my parents’ goals for me. I grew up with two parents—one who earned his GED and another who earned her master's degree, only to end up in crushing debt. With these experiences in mind, I chose to study marketing at MSU Denver.

I was introduced to the Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program through a scholarship I received during my freshman year. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect since most of the student support programs I had heard of on campus involved advisors and other professionals. The peer-to-peer aspect of the Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program really piqued my interest. After my first meeting with my mentor, I quickly realized how important it is to have student staff on campus who can offer advice and mentorship to other students at any stage of their college or career paths.

As a freshman, I wasn’t really focused on my career yet. I was more concerned with where my classes were and how to study for them. The program helped me in that regard because mentors are matched with mentees based on major, minor, and hobbies. During our first meeting, my mentor and I discovered we were both business majors, and she calmed my nerves about my classes. She also helped me set attainable career goals, so by the end of that meeting, the word “career” didn’t feel so daunting or distant. I left with my questions answered, my anxiety eased, and a new sense of belonging. I was so grateful to be part of the Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program that when I heard a student employment position was open to become a Morgridge Peer Mentor in my sophomore year, I applied—and got it.

The Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program includes about 26 people: two professional staff members, four leads, and 20 mentors. As a mentor, I had roughly 20 students on my caseload. I sent personalized emails and met with students to discuss topics ranging from “Where are my classes?” to “How can I find the right job after graduation?” I helped connect them to resources aligned with their majors and career goals. If a student didn't yet have career or post-graduation plans, we worked together to develop them. During my one-on-one meetings, I saw students who reminded me of myself when I started—excited about opportunities but unsure or anxious about where to begin. Much of my role as a mentor involved bridging the gap between campus resources and opportunities and the students who needed them.

Now, as a junior, the word “rewarding” doesn’t fully capture my experience as a Morgridge Peer Mentor. Mentoring has opened doors to opportunities I might not have otherwise known about. I’m also able to share these with my mentees, allowing us to grow together. A highlight has been seeing a mentee realize how much the campus offers. That moment reminded me why I became a mentor: to help others find their place on campus or in a career, just as my peer mentor did for me. Mentoring has shown me how much I’ve grown since freshman year — from feeling anxious and unsure about my place to becoming an ambitious and active member of the MSU Denver community.

Being a Morgridge Peer Mentor has helped me reach the goals my parents envisioned for me and that I hoped for myself: obtaining a quality education without crushing debt, finding my place on campus, and developing career-readiness skills that will support me after graduation. If I could go back and tell my freshman self anything, it would be this: The anxiety you feel now is temporary, and you will discover a network on campus that supports you. The connections you make in the next few years will shape you for the better and provide the community you’ve been seeking. If the Morgridge Peer Mentoring Program and MSU Denver have taught me anything, it’s that opportunities are waiting for you; you just need the drive to pursue them.