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The Peer Led Team Learning Program at the UTEP Department of Chemistry promotes the development of highly trained undergraduate students through peer leading experiences. Peer leaders are mentored by UTEP faculty in the Department of Chemistry, and learn how to facilitate small learning groups and one-on-one tutoring sessions with other students enrolled in large chemistry courses. To learn more about how to become a peer leader, or about the tutoring services available, contact Drs. James Becvar, Geoffrey Saupe, Juan Noveron, or Mahesh Narayan.

Edna Tepezano, a peer leader and junior studying cellular and molecular biology, said, “This is the first job I have ever truly enjoyed. I believe I made an impact in my students’ lives.”

Peer leaders help other students understand their chemistry courses by creating practice problems, preparing exam reviews, sharing effective study habits, and breaking down problems for their peers. Peer leaders are separated into cohorts and provided with training at the start of each semester to prepare them for the leadership experience. During the semester, peer leaders meet with their cohort every week to share effective teaching strategies, develop new practice problems, and create exam reviews for their students. They also hold weekly office hours to meet with students one-on-one. Philip Baily, a peer leader and biology major, shared, “I had a student who started off the semester struggling quite a bit. I continued to meet with him during office hours and sometimes outside of office hours and saw an improvement in his grades as the semester progressed. I was pleasantly surprised to get an email from him thanking me for all the help over the semester and telling me that he passed the class.”

Peer leaders are encouraged to expand their leadership skills and support by providing K-12 community outreach. They often times will participate in science fairs as judges and other educational programs offered at local schools. In addition to learning leadership skills and teaching methods, peer leaders learn time management, public speaking, and how to communicate with each other. Some express that they have become more confident in themselves through this experience, and how they enjoy helping others. Raul Ortiz, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering said, “Peer leading is much more than an educational benefit for students, and much more than just a job for peer leaders. The program is an educational goldmine."

Sam Herron is a senior studying cellular and molecular biochemistry with plans to pursue medical school. He shares that this experience is helping him prepare for his career by working in teams and communicating with different types of learners. “I use my office hours to personalize tutoring to help provide students with different studying approaches”, Sam said.

Cassandra Orozco, a senior studying metallurgical, materials, and biomedical engineering said, “Peer leading has made me excited about contributing to chemistry. I hope to one day become like Dr. Becvar and become a college professor.”

Anthony Ramirez, a senior majoring in biological sciences, shared that he would like to apply for an American Chemical Society scholarship. “This experience as a mentor to other students will help my scholarship application. The experience has also helped prepare me for graduate school.”