Mentoring

Big Sibling Program

Every year, a select group of Honors College students apply to be Big Siblings to incoming Honors College freshmen. Each Big Sibling is grouped with a few incoming freshmen and introduced during New Seawolf Welcome Week. Over the course of the academic year, the Big Siblings act as a resource for their incoming Honors College freshmen, "Little Siblings", and they help to ease the college transition. The Honors College is truly a family and the Big Sibling Program welcomes new Honors College students with open arms!

• Responsibilities

  Support the transition of new Honors College students to Stony Brook University throughout the Little Sibling’s first academic year and during events such as the New Seawolf Welcome Week.

  Big Siblings will:

  • Actively participate in the mandatory 2 hour long Big Sibling training virtual session on Tuesday, August 20th from 11am-1pm.
  • Commit to being a Big Sibling for the entire 2024-2025 academic year
  • Maintain regular communication with and refer Little Siblings to appropriate resources where necessary
  • Proactively and meaningfully engage with Little Siblings throughout their first academic year—Big Siblings will be required to meet/interact with their Little Siblings during:
    • Little’s first FA’24 month (August/September): Bigs are required to meet with Littles at least twice in person. After the Little’s first month, Big and Littles will determine how to best connect for further mentorship based on mutual availability and meeting preference. 
    • Before Little’s last SP’25 month (April/May): Bigs are required to meet with Littles at least twice in person. Since the mentorship program lasts for the entirety of the Littles' first academic year, Big and Littles will want to determine if they would like to shift to a more informal mentoring relationship
  • Be responsive to the Honors College Program administrators when contacted via Stony Brook email
  • Serve as a Mentor at the University Honors Programs’ collaborative “Mentor Mingle” event, open to Honors College/University Scholars/WISE students, in the Fall 2024 semester. Event date to be determined and shared at a later time.
  • Have opportunities to volunteer to assist the Honors College Program administrators with related efforts as needed, this includes but is not limited to 
    • • • Volunteering as a student panelist during Admitted Students Day, taking place in the Spring/April.
        • Volunteering to assist with the “Honors College Welcome & Informational Meeting” and “University Honors Programs Community Welcome” events taking place this August during New Seawolf Welcome Week.
        • Host a brief meeting with incoming First-Year student(s) to discuss the Honors College experience and questions they may have.

   

• Qualifications

  Please note: Both residential and commuter students are eligible and encouraged to apply!

  • Will have sophomore, junior, or senior status in Fall 2024 (by tenure not credit standing)
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing with the University and the Honors College–must have a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0 
  • Desire to assist new Honors College students in their transition to Stony Brook
  • Self-motivated with a positive attitude
  • Possess excellent interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work with people from different backgrounds
  • Prompt response regarding communications from the Honors College and Little Siblings (emails, event invitations, etc.)
  • Punctual and dependable with regards to commitments made with Little Siblings (check-ins, meetups, etc.)
  • Willing to productively share accurate information about SBU, the Honors College community, student life, and campus resources with Little Siblings 
• Benefits

  As a Big Sibling, the program offers one the ability to:

  • Play a significant role in the experience of new Honors College students 
  • Build on mentorship/leadership and interpersonal communication skills
  • Meet and network with staff and peers that will broaden overall co-curricular/curricular experiences at SBU
  • Develop great friendships
  • Own Honors College swag!
• Application & Selection Process

   

  The application is now closed.

  If you have any questions, please reach out to University Honors Advisor, Stephanie Caban (stephanie.caban@stonybrook.edu).

   

Meet Some of Our Big Siblings!

• Naveen Mallangada
  

  Major: Biology-Developmental Genetics SpecializationHometown: Jericho, NYWhat I love most about the Honors College? “I love the Honors College because of the amazing people and community that support and encourage you to think beyond the norm.”
• Dylan Schreiber
  

  Major: Civil Engineering Hometown: Sayville, NY What I love most about the Honors College? “I love being in the Honors College because of the community it creates. Right away when I got to school I was a part of a group of people who are fun, have similarly high aspirations, and are accepting.”
•  Rima Madan
   

  Major: BiologyHometown: Bethpage, NY What I love most about the Honors College? “I love being in the Honors College because of all the wonderful people I've met. I am surrounded by a group of incredibly diverse, intelligent students who truly motivate me to step outside of my comfort zone and achieve big things.”
•  Ioana Soaita
   

  Major: Biomedical EngineeringHometown: Bucharest, Romania What I love most about the Honors College? “I love being in the Honors College because of the supportive and tight-knit community it offers.”