Peer Listening
About Peer Listening
Peer Listening is a great option for students looking to actively strengthen their personal well-being and self-care strategies, identify campus resources, solve problems effectively, and work toward intentional change through one-on-one conversation.
Peer Listening is a free service offered by our Peer Educators for students at Colorado School of Mines. Through one-on-one conversations, the Peer Listeners will create an inclusive support system within a safe place free of judgment, provide resources on a variety of topics such as boundary-setting, drug and alcohol use, and self-care, and co-create an individualized action plan for participating students.
Peer Listening is not crisis intervention and should not replace counseling and/or medical services. Peer Listeners address and discuss difficult topics while providing students with mutual respect, privacy, and a plan of action.
Who are peer listeners?
Peer Listeners are current Peer Educators who go through additional, in-depth trainings and supervision to serve as a Peer Listener. Peer Listeners are Certified Peer Educators through NASPA. Peer Listeners can support students with topics such as smoking cessation, stress management, drug and alcohol use, self-care, and more.
how does it work?
Use the form below to schedule an appointment with a Peer Listener. Once you submit the form, an Outlook calendar invite with the time, location, and the Peer Listener you are meeting with will be sent to you within 5 to 7 business days.
We can’t wait to meet with you!
Kate Knudtsen
(She/Her/Hers)
Major: Environmental Engineering
Class: Sophomore
Email: katherineknudtsen@mines.edu
Training: Certified Peer Educator
Special Topics: Recovery and mental health concerns. Student lead for Mines for Recovery and Awareness.
Kate is currently studying abroad and will be back in Peer Education in the Spring 2026.
Matthew mansfield
(He/Him/His)
Major: Mining Engineering
Class: Junior
Email: matthew_mansfield@mines.edu
Training: Certified Peer Educator
Special Topics: Anything
Ava O’Hara
(She/Her/Hers)
Major: Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering
Class: Senior
Email: aohara@mines.edu
Training: Certified Peer Educator
Special Topics: Anything
Interests/Personal: Skiing, hiking, Alpha Phi member, part of the American Medical Women’s Association.
GOALS OF THE PEER LISTENING
Students who participate in a one-on-one conversation with a Peer Listening can expect:
1. To identify the problem for which they are seeking support.
2. To articulate what support looks like for them.
3. To co-create 1-2 possible solutions or tangible next steps to implement to resolve their problem.
4. To identify 1-2 appropriate campus resources.
5. To be listened to, heard, and supported by Peer Listeners.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A PEER LISTENING SESSION
A Peer Listening session is a 30 to 45 minute collaborative process between you and your Peer Listener. Together you will identify current struggles and barriers to your success. Peer Listening provides a safe place to talk with a peer and fellow Mines student without judgement in order to develop self-awareness, skills, tools, and campus resources that will empower you in strengthening your well-being.
Please email PeerEducation@mines.edu with any questions.
