PEER LEADERS
Peer Leaders are upper-class students who have been selected because they've demonstrated that they know how to succeed in college and because they are personable and eager to help others; these students are then trained to support and guide incoming students by acting as mentors, role models, and resources. A significant body of research has demonstrated the effectiveness of peer leaders, particularly in the first year of college (Cuseo, 2010; Shook & Keup, 2012; Peck, 2011; Greenfield, 2013; Friedman et al., 2022), by helping students to manage their time and their classes, to navigate college's academic landscape, and to guide them toward the resources available when they find they are in need of support.
How are Peer Leaders Used in WCU's FYE Program?
In the pilot program of WCU's FYE peer leader program (2024-26), PLs are embedded into sections of FYE to work with the first-year students, modeling effective student behaviors in the classroom, assisting FYE students in completing assignments, and generally easing the students' transition to life as a Golden Ram. In the FYE classes, they share their own experiences as first-year students, and they help the incoming FYE students to succeed both personally and academically. They are also available for “office hours” outside the class, where they can help with class assignments and other first-year student concerns like how to navigate D2L or schedule classes in RamPortal.
Meet our Peer Leaders for Fall 2025!
Tyler Borichewski, Adriana Carlino, Lucas Cody, Avery Cronin, Emily Doyle, Megan Evans, Alicia Greene, Addison Hocker, Anna Jablokov, Emily Lescinski, Sophia Loomis, Quinn McMullen, Kira Mcquiston, Maura Pierlott, Alexis Rambo, Aleia Reeser, Caeden Reuter, Nick Romaniello, Caroline Rudderow, Gianna Russell, Nathan Schallack, Elle Stephenson, Dalayna Tarity, Isabella Trujillo, and Jasmine Vega
Are you a student interested in becoming a peer leader? Or are you a faculty member who is interested in nominating a peer leader? If so, please click the appropriate button below.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Prof. Michelle Blake or Dr. Courtney Lloyd at fyepl@wcupa.edu.