News
Introducing Learning Center Peer Educators: Tutors & Mentors
In response to the changing needs of traditional undergraduate students, and in addition to peer tutoring for specific courses, The Learning Center (TLC) at Roberts Wesleyan University will now offer College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA) certified academic peer mentoring, a peer-helping-peer position designed to provide holistic college success support that can include:
- Peer academic coaches: executive functioning struggles, ADHD support, and accountability partners.
- Peer mentors attached to programs and diverse needs: First-generation students, international students, athletes, DEI
- Academic recovery support (academic probation)
- College academic and system adjustment, habits of mind, non-cognitive skills, and belonging needs.
Who qualifies to receive help from a Peer Educator?
Any traditional undergraduate student may request to be paired with a peer mentor/educator. TLC will pair students and peer educators based on highly individualized needs and characteristics.
How can a student be connected to a peer educator/mentor?
Students in need of a TLC peer mentor can contact Laura Scavo (594-6031) or visit https://www.roberts.edu/student-experience/learning-center/contacts/.
Who qualifies to be hired as a Peer Educator?
Candidates are recommended by faculty or staff, recruited from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, maintain required academic and community standards, possess the character and empathy needed for healthy mentor relationships, and complete all required certification training. This semester, TLC welcomes several new peer educators who will be serving in a mentoring role, including:
Sherinne Cauwels: A senior communication major, Sherinne loves to research, learn new things, and discuss theories with people to gain new perspectives. She spends time with her husband and children and loves to read when not tutoring or working with students who need executive functioning support.
Caleb DaSilva: Caleb is a first-generation, junior, Cross-Disciplinary student. When he arrived at Roberts from his home in Canada, he was surprised to experience culture shock. He is busy participating in athletics (soccer), working as an RA, and preparing for his last semester. He knows how hard it is to balance the responsibilities of college life and wants to share with and serve others experiencing difficulties in executive functioning, college adjustment, and academic struggle.
Christina Garber: Is a sophomore biomedical science major. Her professional goals include medical school to one day become a family physician. As a Learning Center peer educator, she tutors chemistry, general biology, and principles of chemistry courses, and her mentoring work is informed by her experiences as a first-generation college student and homeschooler.
Jaylen Rhone: A senior biochem major, Jaylen works as an RA, participates in campus DEI events and activities, and, in earlier semesters, ran track and field for Roberts. She is excited to work as a peer educator and mentor, assisting freshmen as they adjust to difficult academic circumstances, find resources, solutions, and community. She wants her mentees to feel heard, to know they are not alone, and that their struggles are normal.
Daniela Rodriquez: An international student, Dani is a senior Homeland Security & Applied Intelligence student and swim team athlete at Roberts. Besides working as a Peer Educator, Dani also works for the Library, International Engagement and serves as the Global Club President. Dani empathizes with and supports students experiencing homesickness and culture shock, college and academic adjustment problems.
Ishraj Sidhu: Originally from Punjab, India, Raj is a Biochemistry major with a minor in psychology. He tutors biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology and joins us as an academic peer mentor this semester. Raj participates in RWU’s Adopt-A-School program, and in his spare time enjoys video gaming, Marvel and DC comics.