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Recognizing new students may need support beyond New Student Orientation, STRIDE also provides an academic year peer mentorship experience. After completing a questionnaire at the beginning of the semester, new students are placed into small group cohorts. Cohorts are based on shared interests (i.e. academic majors, wellness activities, social identities, etc.) and led by student peer mentors who are sophomores, juniors or seniors. Students meet with cohort members and their peer mentor at a social event and have an opportunity to learn about other cohort groups. While cohorts are meant to be sustained groups throughout the academic year, peer mentors are encouraged to collaborate with other peer mentors to build relationships across cohorts.

The fall semester begins with a weekly seminar in September to build academic success skills and introduce students to co-curricular opportunities on campus. Between October and April, peer mentors host large and small group events that range from faculty dialogues, campus resource conversations, community building opportunities, exploration of the Charlotte area and dialogue on current issues impacting first-year students. The spring semester includes a mid-year event to reunite the group and check in about successes and setbacks. The year concludes with an informal recognition event to celebrate the completion of the first-year and to thank peer leaders for their efforts.

Participants of the STRIDE Pre-Orientation Experience have an opportunity to join in the Academic Year STRIDE Peer Mentorship Experience at the conclusion of Pre-Orientation. Students who did not participate in STRIDE Pre-Orientation Experience may join the Academic Year STRIDE Peer Mentorship Experience pending space availability. Registration for this program will be announced in after STRIDE Pre-Orientation Experience.