4D Peer Mentors Create a Sense of Belonging at First Ascent
University of Denver students are committed to helping first-year students feel at home, making lifelong memories along the way.
Every fall, first-year students head into Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for DU’s First Ascent, a weekend of connection, reflection, and fun at the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus. Challenge courses, hikes, stargazing, and s’mores set the stage for students to slow down and prepare for the adventure of college life ahead.
The magic of First Ascent doesn’t happen by accident—it’s guided by 4D peer mentors who help first-year students feel at home from day one. Starting college life can be a lot to handle, but the comprehensive structure of peer mentorship means every student has a supportive peer by their side. If you ask any 4D peer mentor what inspired them to take on the role, they’ll likely point to their own first-year experience and how meaningful it was to find a sense of belonging.
“It was terrifying to leave behind my lifelong friends and move 1,000 miles away,” recalls 4D Peer Mentor Riley McCarthy, a second-year psychology and religious studies major from LaGrange, Illinois. “I wanted to be a stable presence for this year’s incoming class.”
For many mentors, that desire to offer stability comes from knowing how it feels to be new. Jagger Livengood, who moved to Denver from Lead, South Dakota, says the big-city environment felt intimidating at first. Plus, he didn’t know anyone. But the connections he made during that first week changed everything for him. Now a junior business major and 4D peer mentor, Livengood—and others like him—feel compelled to pay it forward.
Unplugging to reconnect
4D peer mentors also enjoy the chance to return to KMC’s stunning 730-acre campus. The fresh air, pine trees, and stars so close you can almost touch them make First Ascent unforgettable for first years and mentors alike.
“It really helps to feel grounded in nature at the beginning of an academic year,” says Allie Metzler, a second-year peer mentor studying public policy and English education. “It lets me take a step away from my busy schedule and focus on fulfilling my needs as a human.”
A ping from a phone or a growing to-do list seems to fade away as students go horseback riding, try their hand at archery and ax throwing, or embrace the peacefulness of yoga during one of Colorado’s classic bluebird days.
“The best part of being a 4D peer mentor is getting to witness first-year students form real, meaningful connections—without relying on phones or social media,” says Emily Tran, a second year studying hospitality management. “There’s something special about watching students step out of their comfort zones, open up, and build friendships face to face.”
Nature is an ideal place for unfiltered relationship building. The unique activities available at KMC allow students to build genuine friendships in unexpected ways, lasting well beyond the weekend.
“I’ve seen people meet for the first time on opposite ends of a climbing rope and form a lasting bond,” says Jagger. “It’s so interesting to observe student relations [at KMC] and how they influence life at the ‘urban’ campus.”
Where the best moments aren’t planned
Perhaps the best moments for 4D peer mentors, however, are those that are unplanned. Tran recalls a night when she and a group of first years made friendship bracelets. At first, everyone was focused on their color selection, but slowly everyone started opening up to each other by sharing stories, laughing, and giving advice.
“That night reminded me how simple moments can bring people together in a really meaningful way,” she says.
Impromptu late-night conversations, breaking silence on a hike to learn something new about someone else, or simply saying good morning to a new friend are the small moments that make First Ascent a welcoming atmosphere that propels students into DU’s tight-knit community for years to come.
“I observed a community connection that was deepened by being ‘stuck’ at KMC,” says Metzler. “It forces you to talk to those in your cabin and those around you, which gave us the ability to connect on a deeper level.”
Metzler’s experience wasn’t unique—those spontaneous moments of connection defined the weekend for many mentors. McCarthy’s best memory came while playing cornhole with two first-year students on their first night at KMC.
“We were all terrible at scoring points, but we had so much fun just talking and laughing with each other,” remembers McCarthy. “We chatted about college life and shared some advice without feeling like we were in a formal meeting. After 45 minutes, my teammate and I scored one total point, but we didn’t even care because we were having such a good time.”
4D peer mentor applications for 2026 open at the end of the fall quarter. Visit https://studentaffairs.du.edu/new-student-family/peer-mentorship/opportunities-recruitment-process for more information and to apply.