Garman Guides: 'A Social Safety Net' for New Engineers

The transition to college can be overwhelming for first-year students, especially those entering the rigorous world of engineering. Recognizing that, the College of Engineering launched the Garman Guides peer mentorship program in 2020 to help students navigate both the academic and personal challenges of their first year.

Since then, the program has become a vital resource for fostering a sense of belonging and community within the College of Engineering.

"It was clear that students needed more than just academic guidance," says Liz Clark, the College of Engineering's student success coach who leads the program, under the supervision of Associate Dean Terri Norton. "They needed someone who could walk with them through all the unknowns — someone who had been in their shoes and could be that consistent, relatable presence."

Garman Guides pairs incoming engineering students with upperclassmen — sophomores through seniors — who serve as trained peer mentors throughout the fall semester and beyond. Each mentor supports a small group of five students, creating a space where real relationships can form. It's not a casual buddy system. It's a structured, paid position that emphasizes professionalism, training and confidentiality.

"Our mentors go through significant preparation," Clark says. "We talk about what it means to be personally vulnerable and how to show up authentically so mentees feel comfortable doing the same. These relationships are foundational, especially for students navigating not just academics, but the entire culture of college life."

From help with course registration to finding someone to study with for an exam, the benefits are tangible. Students have someone to turn to for the little questions that might feel too awkward to ask faculty or staff, and guides are trained to know when a mentee might need additional support from University resources.

"The program is a social safety net," says Clark. "It gives students that one person who checks in on them, who helps them feel like they belong, and who reminds them — especially in those hard moments — that they matter here."

Garman Guides initially drew inspiration from a successful model in Bucknell's Freeman College of Management: the Freeman Fellows program, a first-year mentoring initiative that similarly pairs incoming students with trained peer mentors.

Building on that foundation, Garman Guides was tailored to meet the distinct needs of engineering students, creating a customized, community-centered support network. Garman Guides is now also known as ENGR 099, a non-credit course all first-year engineering students are enrolled in. Weekly small-group meetings continue through the first semester, guided by a carefully crafted syllabus that delivers just-in-time information.

The program even takes identity into account. Before arriving on campus, students fill out a survey indicating any aspects of their identity they'd like considered in guide placement — be it gender, religion, background or interests — helping ensure that the mentorship feels relevant and welcoming.

And the bonds formed often outlast that first year. Many students find that their experience as a mentee inspires them to eventually become mentors themselves, eager to give back to the next generation of engineers.

"I had a great experience in my Garman Guide group as a first-year student, and I wanted the chance to give incoming students the same — or hopefully even better — experience," says Christian Owens '26, a chemical engineering major from Throop, Pa. 

"This program taught me how important it is to build meaningful connections and create welcoming spaces, which can have a huge impact on students," Owens adds. "Academically, leading the weekly sessions has helped me become a stronger communicator and mentor. The skills I've gained through this experience will definitely carry over into my professional life after Bucknell."