Overview
University life can be overwhelming for any first-year student. The academic peer mentors are available to help you settle in, adjust to higher education, make new friends and connect to the NWU community. Academic peer mentor have also recently transitioned to university and can, based on their personal experience, provide you with direction and guidance to do the same.
Advise from academic peer mentors on what to expect from university
How can you benefit from the Academic Peer Mentoring Programme?
FAQ's about the academic peer mentors
Do you have a question regarding the Academic Peer Mentoring Programme? Take a look at our Student FAQ section.
Q. What is an academic peer mentor?
An academic peer mentor is a senior student who has also recently transitioned successfully to tertiary education. They provide you with direction and guidance to do the same based on their personal experiences and best practice.
Q. How will I benefit from having an academic peer mentor?
The academic peer mentors are commited to:
- Promote your academic success at university
- Help you transition and adjust to university
- Enhanceyour sense of belonging to increase your intention to stay in university and graduate (retention)
- Affirm your belief that you can succeed as a university student
- Provide safe space for you to share personal, social and academic concerns
- Increase your levels of motivation, self-directedness and self-efficacy
Q. Where can I ask a mentor a question during Orientation?
Please go to the chat rooms on the 1st Year Navigation eFundi site, and post your question (about your studies or your transition to university). This eFundi site is monitored by academic peer mentors, and they will, to the best of their ability, answer your questions in the chat or via the eFundi message tool (pop up message on each page).
Signing up with a mentor
First-year students and undergraduate students can sign up for academic peer mentoring support in which case a mentor will be assigned to them. You can follow this link HERE, or use the QR code below to sign up:
Mentors provide cross-campus support online via Zoom, WhatsApp or Teams. This means that you can select a mentor on any campus. Click for the contact detials of the mentor of your choice:
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Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
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Faculty of Education
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Faculty of Engineering
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Faculty of Health Sciences
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Faculty of Humanities
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Faculty of Law
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Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
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Faculty of Theology
Note: If you wish to meet your mentor in-person (COVID restrictions permitting), be sure to contact a mentor on your campus.
Did you know?
Our motto
Advice by academic peer mentors: Top tips to get you started in your faculty
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Academic Peer Mentoring Programme Coordinators
Please contact your campus academic peer mentoring programme coordinator for operational and programme
Potchefstroom Campus

Mrs Reinette Koekemoer
018 299 4108
reinette.koekemoer@nwu.ac.za
Building E8, Office 135

Dr Sonja van der Westhuizen
018 299 2169
sonja.vanderwesthuizen@nwu.ac.za
Building C1, Office 234
Vanderbijlpark Campus
Mrs Natalie von Meullen
018 285 2280
25134922@nwu.ac.za
Building A14, Office 319
Academic Peer Mentoring Programme Administrators
Please contact your campus programme administrator for administrative queries or questions.
Mahikeng Campus

Ms Keneilwe Seleke
018 389 2087
keneilwe.seleke@nwu.ac.za
Academic Building, Block D, Office 186
Vanderbijlpark Campus

Ms Thandi Khumalo
016 910 3331
24301752@nwu.ac.za
Building A14, Split level 3, Room SL310