So when he was asked to serve as a senior mentor for the College of Education, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I was proud and honored to represent TCU and the College of Education,” said Pedroza, who is specializing in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics. “My TCU experience could not have been better, and I love sharing my story.”

A fixture at Monday at TCU events for prospective students and families, senior mentors give tours of the campus, answer questions from new students, participate in programs at college functions and help host alumni events.

Nominated by faculty, 15 to 25 mentors are selected each year to serve one-year terms. Students must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and experience in leadership roles in the college. The program is entering its 16th year.

“They are the face of TCU’s College of Education,” said Dale Young, director of student teaching for the College of Education.

“Visitors to the college would much rather hear from our students than faculty.”

On a campus visit while in high school, Rachel Gleitman fell in love with TCU. Once she became a student, she loved the small, intimate classes and personal connections she built with professors and fellow classmates. Classrooms, she said, would come alive with engaging discussions.

“Being a senior mentor gave me a small way I could give back to TCU,” Gleitman said. “I love telling people about my great experience.”

Senior mentors do more than answer questions, Pedroza said. They can help ease the transition for new students.