Finding guidance, support and connection in grad school

When Paige Brzeszkiewicz started her online master’s degree program in accountancy and data analytics, she was navigating a challenge that many graduate students face — balancing academics, work and personal life while feeling disconnected from campus as an out-of-state online student.

When Afan Jeelani arrived at ASU to pursue his master’s degree in artificial intelligence in business, he carried a different kind of uncertainty — the weight of transitioning back to academia after nearly five years in industry, far from family and home.

What both discovered through the Community Advocates Peer Mentor Program wasn't just academic guidance. They found a sense of belonging.

Today, Paige has returned as a mentor herself. Afan is thriving as a graduate student leader on campus. Their stories tell us something essential about what graduate education truly requires.

A simple but powerful belief

The Community Advocates Peer Mentor Program is based on the belief that graduate students learn best from those who have walked the path before them.

Navigating a graduate program goes beyond coursework to finding your place, managing competing demands and recognizing that you are not alone in your experiences. The Community Advocates Peer Mentor Program connects first-year graduate students with experienced peer mentors who understand the unique challenges of graduate programs, various schools and, most importantly, life.

Unlike traditional mentoring, peer mentors know what it's like to be exactly where you are right now. They have managed similar workloads, faced similar doubts and built the kinds of connections that make graduate school more meaningful.

Paige's journey: Finding community as an online student

When Paige joined the Cap, Gown and Grit mentor group last year, she hoped to connect with fellow Sun Devils who truly understood what she was experiencing. "As an out-of-state online student, I was especially looking for opportunities to build meaningful connections and feel more engaged with the ASU community," she explains.

What emerged from that experience was transformative. Paige discovered that ASU offered far more than she realized. "I learned that ASU offers a supportive community and resources that extend beyond academics," she says. But more importantly, she learned something about herself. "I learned to find balance, build confidence, seek support, and prioritize mental health, which is crucial for managing work and school successfully."

The fear of isolation that had initially brought her to the program dissolved. In its place came a genuine sense of belonging to the ASU community.

That's why Paige chose to return as a mentor. "My experience in Cap, Gown, and Grit showed me how meaningful it can be to have a supportive community and someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed," she reflects. "I decided to return as a mentor because I want to provide that same sense of connection, encouragement, and support to other students. I hope to help mentees navigate challenges with confidence and foster a welcoming community where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed."

Afan's transformation: From industry to belonging

Afan's path to ASU was different, but his initial struggle was just as real. Coming back to school after years in industry, he carried an assumption that he should already have the answers.
His mentors, Jamie and Ebuka, helped him unlearn that assumption. "The biggest thing I took away was learning how to ask for help early instead of waiting until I realized I was stuck," Afan shares. "My mentors normalized reaching out. They made me feel like I had people here who cared about me and that I could talk to them about anything."

For an international student navigating a new country and institution, that made all the difference. "That is all you really need at the start," he said.

But the impact extended far beyond the mentoring sessions. Understanding that asking for help was a strength, not a weakness, changed everything. Afan went from moving through his program to building a life as a graduate student. He joined clubs while juggling demanding coursework. He volunteered. He applied for and landed an on-campus job in enterprise development at the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. He secured spots in two study abroad programs in Lisbon and Dublin. He attended professional events across Arizona, including the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit.

"It taught me that I could not only participate in everything but excel at it," Afan reflects. "After all of that, I feel unstoppable."

But perhaps his most important realization speaks to why this program matters: "Being a graduate student is not just about the degree. The people you build relationships with, the events you show up for, and the communities you contribute to matter just as much as what happens in the classroom. That shifted me from thinking of myself as someone passing through a program to someone who is part of a community here at ASU."

If you're considering whether this program is worth your time, Afan has a message:

"It is difficult to start as a graduate student at one of the largest universities in the world. For some, it comes right after college; for others, after a long gap; and for many, it means being far from home for the first time. It is overwhelming, and it can feel like starting from scratch all over again.
This program gives you people who help you navigate that and make the place feel like home. They are not just mentors; they become your friends.

So come to your meetings with real questions. Your mentor cannot read your mind, and the more honest you are about what you are actually struggling with, the more useful the relationship becomes. And do not treat the program as something that ends when the semester does. Some of the best conversations I had came after the formal program was over."

Join a Community Advocates Peer Mentor Program

Graduate school is challenging. But you don't have to navigate it alone. The Community Advocates Peer Mentor Program exists because ASU believes that every graduate student deserves guidance, support and connection.

Whether you're an online student worried about isolation, a career changer returning to academics, an international student building community far from home or still exploring what matters to you, there's a place for you here. Everyone belongs. Our peer mentor groups are designed to support all first-year graduate students as they navigate grad school. No matter who you are or what you're looking for, there's a peer mentor trained and ready to walk alongside you.

Join a mentor group this year. Your future self will thank you.