PAVE

Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) Program is a peer support program that connects incoming student veterans with student veterans already on campus. It is administered by the Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC)

To help studentveterans and dependents navigate college life, identify challenges they are facing, refer them to the appropriate resource on or off campus, and provide ongoing support to their academic and personal goals, ease their transition from military to civilian and/or academic life.
PAVE was started in 2020 with 1 Team Leader, 2 Peer Advisors assisting 10 student veterans. We now have 2 Team Leaders, 5 Peer Advisors who assist over 200 military affiliated students.

"Seasoned" student veterans and/ or dependents (i.e. mentors) are matched with incoming student veterans and/or dependents (i.e. mentees/proteges) already on campus in order to help them navigate college life, identify challenges they face, refer them to appropriate resources on or off campus, and provide ongoing support toward their academic and personal goals.

"Soft Skill" Development- opportunity to develop/enhance skills in effective communication (e.g. developing rapport, active listening, providing/ receiving feedback, etc.)
Knowledge Sharing- chance to share knowledge regarding your major and career aspirations, effective study habits, school/community resources, social activities, etc.
Instrinsic Satisfaction- gained through acting as a guide, coach, and/or resource person
Resume Building - mentoring demonstrates the effectiveness of your soft skills and ability to share knowledge, which are qualities highly in demand by employers
Tradition - as a PAVE peer advisor you become part of a UNM Tradition for the student veteran community; and your mentee/protege may become a future mentor

Easy access to an experienced UNM student veteran, who has "been there"
Personalized guidance, encouragement, and camaraderie during first year at UNM to ease the transition from military to civilian/ academic life
Assistance with reaching your academic, social--and ultimately--professional goals
Not having to "go it alone" during your time at UNM
Skill development that could lead to you becoming a future PAVE Peer Advisor