DMC Peer Mentoring Program
Campus Resources | Support Network | Holistic Wellness
Purpose
The Dowdy Multicultural Center Peer Mentoring Program is dedicated to supporting WCU Students of Color (Asian American, Black/African American, Desi American, Latinx, Mixed heritage, Native American/Indigenous, Pacific Islander) through their first academic year. Students of Color will learn about campus resources, establish a support network that includes students, faculty, and staff, and create goals for holistic success with the guidance of established student leaders and DMC staff. Students will be matched with student leader after registering.
How it works?
Mentees will be matched with a mentor for the academic year after registering for
the program.
As a result of participating in the Peer Mentoring Program, mentees will be able to:
- Identify campus resources
- Identify individuals to serve as a support network
- Create goals related to their holistic wellness
Mentees must commit to attending:
- 1 hour Mentoring meetings 2 times per month
- 1 Dowdy Multicultural Center sponsored event per month
- Programs, events, and personalized appointments hosted by campus resources led by students, staff, and faculty
- Welcoming Induction event
- End of fall semester celebration
- End of year celebration
History
Established in 1994, the Mentoring Program in the Multicultural Center was formed to help Students of Color persist and graduate from West Chester University. The program was implemented by Jerome (Skip) Hutson and Rochelle Peterson. At that time the Mentoring Program only consisted of two components: the mentees (first-year students) and volunteer, faculty/staff mentors. In 1996, Dr. Kendrick Mickens joined the staff and a third component was added, the peer mentor component. This addition provided a successful academic peer liaison and role model for the first-year participates, and has become integral to the success of the program.
Peer Mentors Benefits
- Opportunity to impact first year Students of Color.
- Increase awareness of campus resources.
- Serve as a resource.
- Practice communication and time management skills.
- Enhance leadership and coaching skills.
2020-2021 Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 8 | contact multicultural@wcupa.edu if interested
Apply HERE
Application Process
- Fill out the application below. Note: We recommend you type your answer on a separate document and paste your answers
- Upload resume and cover letter within the application. Interview may be requested.
Peer Mentor Description
The Peer Mentor position is a part of the Dowdy Multicultural Center team. The Peer Mentor plays a vital role in assisting the Multicultural Center in its efforts to positively impact first year and transfer Students of Color to matriculate at West Chester University. Mentors will assist mentees in the following:
- Identify campus resources
- Identify individuals to serve as a support network
- Create goals related to their holistic wellness
- The commitment is a total of 11 volunteer hours per month.
Mentor 11 Hour Voluntary Commitment
The following is the breakdown of the minimum commitment of 11 monthly volunteer hours:
- Meet with 3 mentees for 2 hours each (6 hours)
- Attending programs hosted by the Peer Mentoring Program with mentees (1.5 hours)
- Monthly mentor meetings (1.5 hours)
- Group reflection meeting with other mentors (1 hour)
- Reading Mentoring Program emails and completing Mentor reports (1 hour)
- Additionally: Attend Peer Mentor Training dates
Eligibility
- Credits: Earned 24 credits or more by the time application is submitted.
- GPA Requirements: Minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time that your application is submitted to the Dowdy Multicultural Center
- GPA Minimum: Maintain a 2.5 per semester GPA. Failure to maintain the GPA requirements will result in probation or termination of the Peer Mentor position.
- Academic Standing: Must be in good academic standing at WCU.
- Leadership: Must have prior leadership experience and/or engaged in leadership activities on-campus/off-campus (community service, campus involvement, conference attendance, etc.). Student Conduct: Applicants who have any incomplete student conduct sanctions will not be considered.
- Hours: Must be available for 11 hours per month.
- Attend Peer Mentor Training dates
Expectations
- Commit to Fall and Spring semesters (one academic year).
- Must maintain the minimum GPA and in good academic standing.
- All reports and deadlines should be met in a timely manner.
- Peer Mentors will be evaluated twice in the Fall semester and twice in the Spring semester to determine continued status.
- Abide by all local, state, and federal laws, as well as all University rules and regulations
2021-2022 Peer Mentors - Coming Soon
2020-2021 Peer Mentors
Aaliyah Daviston
she/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Criminal Justice
Involvements: Criminal Justice Student Association, Desk Assistant, University Ambassador
Aaron Coleman
he/him/his
Year: Sophomore (Transfer)
Major: Communication
Involvements: Track and Field, Phi Beta Sigma, work for the Sports Department
Brianna Fernandez
she/her/hers
Year: Sophomore
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Spanish and Youth Empowerment Studies
Involvements: Latino American Students Organization
Interests: Going to the movies, listening to music, dancing, traveling, and becoming
more politically active
Brinette Hidalgo
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Geoscience with earth systems concentration
Involvements: Student worker at the Instructional Media Center
Christabel or Chrissy Anukam
she/her/hers
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Involvements: Wahala African Dance Team
Comfort Essien
she/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Business Management Minor: Accounting
Involvements: Foreign Exchange
Dara Thomas
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Social Work
Involvements: Residence Hall Association, The Association of Black Social Worker,
Island Vybz Dance Team, Precise Fashion Organization, Adopt-A-Block, City Team
Doris Swarn
she/her/hers
Year: 2nd year Graduate Student
Major: Public Health/ Healthcare Management
Involvements: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Public Health Young Leaders Association, USA
Swimming
Eric Williams
He/Him/His
Year: Senior (Transfer Student)
Major: Psychology Major/Criminal Justice Minor
Involvements: Resident Assistant
Gabbi Hartz
she/her/hers
Year: First Year Graduate Student
Major: M.S. Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs
Involvements: OSSD on campus, Terrain Garden Cafe in Glen Mills
Grace Soldacki
She/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Anthropology
Involvements: Swim Club, Anthropology Club, Phi Sigma Pi
Jailyn Thompson
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Business Management
Involvements: Sisters United
Jalyss Agosto
she/her/hers
Year: Sophomore
Major: Criminal Justice
Past Involvements: Criminal Justice Club, Sigma Tau Omicron Club, Poise Beauty Club,
Backstage For Dream Team, Back Stage for Precise, Latino American Student Organization,
Mas Flow, Empower Communities Around You Organization, Chesco Search Team
Jena Shingler
she/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Social Work
Involvements: Phi Alpha, The Abbé Society, YMCA Teacher Assistant, WCU Resource Pantry,
& Orientation Leader for New Student Programs
Juli Vazquez Tanon
Year: Senior (Transfer)
Major: Public Health
Involvements: Career Ambassador at the Career Development Center, Member of the Pennsylvania
Army National Guard
Karrine Tucker
she/her/ hers
Year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-Occupational Therapy
Kayla Andrews
She/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Marketing Minor: Entrepreneurship
Involvements: NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, American Marketing Association,
Women in Business
Kylah Roberts
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Communications
Involvements: Board member of Women’s Empowerment, IMPACT member, Resident Assistant
at a retirement home, Mentor at the YMCA
Latoya Noble
she/her/hers
Year: 1st year Graduate Student
Involvements: Keystone Honors Academy, Intern at the Office of Senator Vincent Hughes,
Department of Agriculture , Interned with Iron Mountain
Lauryn Gaston
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Exercise Science: Pre-Occupational Therapy Minor in Psychology
Involvements: Multicultural Affairs Committee, DMC Programming Assistant
Maitiya Meadows
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Public Health/ Minor: Psychology
Involvements: D.R.E.A.M Team, Sisters United
Margarete Davila Ortiz
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Spanish Education with a minor in Psychology
Involvements: Schmidt Hall Resident Assistant
Marian Viveros
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Cell and Molecular Biology, Pre-Medical, Psychology minor
Involvements: Latino American Students Organization, Mas Flow Dance Team, Pre-Medical
club, Community Volunteers in Medicine, ESL Peer Mentor, Golden Rams Society, Padres
Latinos
Nani (Ananiya) Jones
she/her/hers
Year: Sophomore
Major: Political Science
Involvements: Black Student Union, Orientation Leader
Nebiyou Elias
he/him/his
Year: Junior
Major: Actuarial Science and Statistics
Involvements: Orientation Leader, Sykes Union Advisory Board (SUAB), Brother or Phi
Sigma Pi, Student Government Association Senator, Resident Assistant, Actuary Society
Nia Stevenson
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Involvements: Gospel Ministries, National Council of Negro Women, Residence Life,
Academic Success Program
Okoteh Sackitey
he/ him his/ Mr.
Year: 2nd year Graduate Student
Major: Public Policy & Administration - With a Graduate Certificate in Sports Administration
Involvements: High School Social Studies teacher for the West Chester Area School
District. Basketball coach at Rustin High School.
Precious Gbadegbe
she/her/hers
Year: 3rd year
Major: Pre-Occupational Therapy
Involvements: Army ROTC- Charlie Company, AFRISA (African Student Alliance), Exercise
Science Club, Home Health Aid
Sasha Alvarado-Salazar
she/her/hers
Year: Junior
Major: Political Science major with a minor in Spanish
Involvements: The Association for Women’s Empowerment, The Garage Community and Youth
Center, Latino American Student Organization, Giant, Center for Women and Gender Equity-
Peer Educator
Summer Bladsoe
she/her/hers
Year: 1st Year Graduate Student
Major: HEPSA
Involvements: Undergrad: National Residence Hall Honorary, Latin American Association,
Environmental Club, Black Student Union, Student Senate (SGA)
Taylor Jacobs
she/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Exercise Science
Involvements: Mas Flow dance team, Island vybz dance team, club undivided
Tyquine Golden
he/him/his
Year: Sophomore
Major: Cell & Molecular Biology Pre-Med
Involvements: Honors Student Association, Empower Communities Around You, Honors Program,
Honors program recruiter for minorities, Community Builder for the Honors Program.
Yeseena Alli
she/her/hers
Year: Senior
Major: Chemistry-Biology
Involvements: Muslim Student Association, American Medical Women’s Association, Child
Watch Attendant, Summer Camp Counselor, Emergency Department Volunteer at Bryn Mawr
Hospital
Lead Peer Mentors
Jessie Wilson
Tehuana Whaley
Yasiel Taveras