Peer Advising Program
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the premier Peer Advisor Program on campus. We provide quality professional development opportunities for Peers and kickstart their careers in higher education, while also contributing to making academic advising a more accessible resource for U of U students.
Our Mission
The AAC Peer Advising Program develops and empowers U of U students to be successful in higher education. Through meaningful professional development opportunities in AAC—advising appointments, tabling, office projects, and trainings—Peer Advisors graduate prepared to pursue careers in higher education. As students who are also advisors, Peers bring to an advising appointment a unique perspective, putting a friendly, un-intimidating face on advising for fellow students.
What is a Peer? A U student trained as an advisor
Peers combine the in-depth knowledge of policies and majors that an advisor has with the understanding of classes and involvement that a student has.
Types of appointments: Degree Audits | First-Year Milestone Advising | Course Registration | Orientation | Peer Advising
Meet Our Peer
Erica Lampers
Major: Communication with an emphasis in Science, Health, Environmental and Risk Communication
Involvement: I am a member of Pi Beta Phi, and I also play piccolo in the Marching Utes.
Why you should meet with me: I have had a traditional college experience: I came from out-of-state and lived in the dorms my freshman year, so I understand the fear incoming freshmen can have.
Erica Lampers
My major exploration story:
When I first started at the University at Utah, I knew that I wanted to major in Biology and do a PrePharmcy track. I had always loved stem, and the hands on feel to it.
During my second semester at the U, I decided to take Principles of Public Speaking (Comm 1020) since it was an area of interest, and it completed a Gen Ed requirement. The course itself showed me a completely different department at the U that I didn’t know about before. I loved the course and enjoyed being able to communicate ideas and interests to others. When the course ended, I decided to continue with Biology, but still kept my options open. I started looking at adding a Strat Comm Minor since it would allow me to take more communications courses.
Towards the end of my second year, I realized that biology was not the best fit for me. I learned that I am better communicating about the sciences rather than doing it hands on in a lab. I decided to look more into the Communications department as an option and realized that major offers a Science, Health, Environmental, and Risk emphasis. Within a matter of 2 days, I chatted with a Communications advisor and switched my entire class schedule to fit the major. I have been a communications major since, and I have loved everything about it.
Why you should meet with me:
I have had a traditional college experience: I came from out-of-state and lived in the dorms my freshman year, so I understand the fear incoming freshmen can have.
Favorite class:
COMM 1020: Principles of Public Speaking
College tips:
Always sit in the same spot in each of your classes, especially large lectures. This allows not only students to recognize who you are, but professors and TAs. Also, take advantage of student discounts.