BUSSW Students Promote Meaningful Connections with a New Student-to-Student Mentoring Program “PUMP”

The particular challenges of navigating a new graduate program are often best understood by students themselves. Three MSW students at Boston University School of Social Work’s Boston campus (BUSSW) used their personal experiences to create the Peer Uplifting Mentoring Program (PUMP), a student-led pilot initiative that provides practical guidance, emotional support, and networking opportunities to students. This peer-to-peer mentorship helps both new and returning students navigate academic and career challenges and creates long-term and meaningful connections among students on the School’s Boston campus.  

The founding students, Katie Hale (MSW’24), Maria Torres Arpi Pous (MSW’25, M.Ed’25), and Anna G. Stevens (MSW’25, MPH’26) created PUMP to address gaps in community and peer mentorship that they felt while pursuing their MSW. “We decided to put all the skills we’ve been learning at BUSSW to create some positive, community-driven change,” says Torres Arpi Pous. “PUMP is entirely student-led, and we are ecstatic about the response we got from the community. We have long term goals to become an integral part of the BUSSW experience.” 

The founding students were connected after sharing their perspective with the School during the same week. “We combined our efforts to form a shared vision of PUMP,” Stevens explains. “Katie and Maria were second year students and I was a first year, which gave us the opportunity to build a mentoring program that included both perspectives.” 

The pilot program attracted 26 mentor-mentee pairs who participated in three one-on-one meetings per semester, as well as social, mentoring, and professional development events organized by PUMP. “We’ve received incredible support from BUSSW staff and professors who donated their time to participate in events with students,” says Torres Arpi Pous. “Our most popular event invited BUSSW alumni and an NASW expert to speak to PUMP members about social work licensure.” PUMP also published a resource guide with on- and off-campus resources, student discounts in Boston, and places students recommend for meet ups. “The guide was especially well-received by new students,” Torres Arpi Pous adds.  

Hale has since graduated, but Torres Arpi Pous and Stevens are committed to continuing the growth of PUMP. They plan to recruit new leaders to ensure the program’s sustainability and integration into the BUSSW experience. This summer, they will analyze feedback from participants and the school community to strengthen the program’s structure and offerings in the future. “PUMP is more than just a peer mentoring program; it’s a testament to the power of student initiative and the impact of community-driven change,” says Stevens. 

For more information or to get involved, contact PUMP at pump.bussw@gmail.com. 

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