Baruch students admiring our spiral staircase
What could be better than a group of curious and enthusiastic college Freshmen visiting our galleries led by highly motivated upperclassman from their host institution? How about not just one, but twenty-six groups of curious and enthusiastic Freshmen exploring the galleries?
Students discussing our interactive map
That’s just what happened when seventeen Baruch Peer Mentors, mostly Sophomores and Juniors, brought multiple groups of their peers to the museum in staggered fashion over the course of about a week. These visits provided opportunities for approximately 650 Baruch students to enjoy the wonders of Himalayan art as seen through the eyes of their classmates.
Earlier this fall, the Peer Mentors, as they’re called at Baruch, attended a training session that Marcos, Ashley Mask, and I offered to familiarize them with admissions procedures and techniques for engaging deeply with our collections. A couple of months later, they brought their peers to the museum.
The map really held everyone's attention
The result? Not only did the Peer Mentors remember what they learned, they applied these insights in the galleries. From what I saw shadowing a number of tours, as well as reports from our staff, the Mentors were knowledgeable about ticket procedures, creative in the ways they engaged their peers with the collections, and respectful of other visitors.
Peer Mentors Farzana Ghanie and Maricruz Romero
One guide, Farzana Ghanie, led three separate groups at the museum over the course of one day. From what I witnessed, Farzana encouraged lively participation through skillful questioning and by creating small group activities in the galleries. Maricruz Romero also did a great job of shepherding her group to the our second and third floors.
Our hats off to Farzana, Maricruz, and the rest of the Baruch Peer Mentor team! We look forward to welcoming you and the Baruch Freshmen back to the museum.