RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – What started as an idea for Whitney Bischoff is now growing into a new approach to student support at South Dakota Mines.
Bischoff, who works with Lost&Found, saw an opportunity to expand the group’s Peer2Peer mentorship program by tapping into the built-in support systems within fraternities and sororities. The goal: give students better tools to support one another and strengthen mental health on campus.
The idea gained traction with students like Jack Myers, a junior and vice president of Phi Kappa Tau, who said the program helps spark meaningful conversations and build stronger connections.
A pilot program launched this spring, funded through the South Dakota Department of Health, and will run through next May. So far, several Greek organizations at Mines have completed training, with additional interest from the University of South Dakota and even national chapters.
The training focuses on mentorship skills, boundaries, self-care and how to recognize and respond to mental health needs. It’s based in part on research from The Jed Foundation, which encourages Greek organizations to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviors.
Students meet regularly over 16 weeks, using guided prompts while building relationships organically. Bischoff said the goal is to create a broader network of support across campus—not just one-on-one mentorship.
Both Bischoff and Myers say the program is already making an impact, with hopes it will continue to grow and support students at Mines and beyond.
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