Student Success
New Peer Leaders Excited to Mentor
RALEIGH, N.C. (September 23, 2024) – You got this! Eight Wake Tech students are ready to guide and support their fellow Eagles along their college journey.
The students are Peer Leaders, a new leadership program that connects first-year students with experienced student mentors.
An extension of the Care Center's Student Success program, Peer Leaders draw from their own experiences and share knowledge about the college in their effort to support students. They answer questions, help with study and time management skills and connect students to campus resources.
The program is designed to allow peer leaders the opportunity to a make difference in the lives of others, build meaningful relationships and ease the transition to college by connecting new students with someone who has been in their shoes.
The students were chosen after an application and interview process in the spring. They also completed formal training over the summer and became Certified Peer Educators through the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. Peer leaders are paid and spend about three hours each week mentoring students.
This year’s Peers Leaders are:
- James Beard of Wake Forest, Associate in Engineering
- Kendall Briggs of Wake Forest, Medical Office Administration
- Derek Gonzalez of Durham, Associate in Science
- Lauren Holfelder of Cary, Business Administration
- Elizabeth Jorgensen of Durham, Nursing
- Nidhi Karerakattil of Holly Springs, Associate in Arts
- Fiorella "Elle" Ruiz of Spring Lake, Associate in Science
- Ruby Waibel of Apex, Associate in Science
Jorgensen said she looks forward to meeting new students as a Peer Leader.
"It's a joy to help students understand how to achieve what they are capable of," she said. "Relationships really are the foundation to how we make the world a better place. It's about the people that you walk with, you learn with and you get to help."
Briggs said she learned a life lesson as a figure skater that she still carries with her.
"When you fall, you get back up," she said. "That's an important lesson that applies to us all. I'm excited about being a role model to other students. I hope to motivate and push them to develop new skills and be the best version of themselves."
Michael Coleman, who oversees the Care Center as dean of Student Support, said the Peer Leaders help increase confidence and a sense of belonging in their fellow students.
"They have amazing energy and personalities, and I can't stop bragging about them," Coleman said. "They are an incredible group of students who are eager to improve the student culture and experience at Wake Tech, and we're so excited to watch their impact."
