Megan Slattery
  • Nutritional Science
  • Class of 2019
  • Calamus, IA

Slattery takes role at Iowa State University as Learning Community Peer Mentor

2017 Aug 29

Megan Slattery, majoring in nutritional science at Iowa State University, is serving as a new Peer Mentor for the Food Science & Human Nutrition (FSHN) Learning Community during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Learning communities function as a space to help first-year and new transfer students transition to Iowa State by providing an introduction to the university while connecting them to departments, academic advisors, fellow students and faculty. Peer mentors, like Slattery, play a vital role in learning communities by sharing examples of their own student experience, providing perspective as one who, not so long ago, made the very same transition to Iowa State.

Students participating in learning communities generally take common courses, like English and math, in addition to participating in activities such as attending lectures or field trips that connect coursework with professional skill development. Learning communities may also include a residential component, where members live together on the same floor (or near each other) in a campus residence hall. Peer mentors in each learning community may be responsible for helping organize study groups, social events, and out-of-class activities for members.

Learning communities, which have been at Iowa State for more than 20 years, don't just provide benefits for new students; they provide learning experiences for peer mentors as well. Peer mentors in each learning community can gain skills in project management, leadership, and both interpersonal and group communication.

There are 20 different learning communities with ties to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and approximately 150 peer mentors. Iowa State's more than 80 learning communities have served over 56,000 students. Learn more about learning communities at www.lc.iastate.edu.