Meet our
GRADUATING PEER MENTORS!
We have incredibly talented and
accomplished students here at
Alvernia and we would like to let
everyone know about it.
These students have served as caring
role models to our freshmen and it
would be wrong if I did not give them
a special shout out!
Their journey has just begun, let’s find
out where they are headed...
Cassandra Colosimo
Year(s): 1 Major: Biology
Cassandra is attending Jefferson’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program, and then
working as a PA in Pediatrics. Memorable Moment: My most memorable
experience as a Peer Mentor was when one of the students wrote me a letter
to say how much I helped her, especially with advising. Many of my FYS
students have told me personally how much of a help I’ve been to them
throughout the semester, and that it was nice to know I was always there to
answer any questions they might have had.
Deven Samson
Year(s): 3 Major: Marketing
Deven plans to be doing marketing or advertising in a creative and
growing company.
Memorable Moment: The fact that I almost cry every year when I have to
say goodbye to my class! You watch your class grow, adapt, and
experience the new college life. It is amazing to see how much they excel
in college and that you play a small role in their success!
Adrienne Hall
Year(s): 1 Major: HCS
Adrienne plans to get a job in either a nursing home or skilled nursing facility.
Memorable Moment: Most memorable experience was when we went
out and completed community service during orientation weekend. It was
amazing seeing how this group of strangers came and worked together as if
they all knew each other for years. Who knew chopping down trees would
have such a positive effect!
Sarah Gracely
Year(s): 2 Major: Occupational Therapy
Sarah plans to work in an inpatient or outpatient setting with adults who are
recovering from orthopedic injuries such as those to the spinal column,
hips, knees, arms, and hands. Memorable Moment: The ongoing
connection I maintain with students. Two years after serving as mentor,
there are a few students who still ask me questions about course selection,
time management, and general college challenges. I love being their source
of assistance and it is highly rewarding to have gained the trust and respect
of peers.
Danielle Bruno
Year(s): 1 Major: Occupational Therapy
To pass the NBCOT exam for OT and to obtain an OT job in either the
geriatric field or behavioral health field. Memorable Moment: My most
memorable experience as a Peer Mentor was having my mentees ask me
questions throughout the semester about anything they had concerns with.
It was a good feeling to know I was a positive role model and that I took part
in their successful transition process from high school to college. Our class
bonded really well together and I was able to help each person out in some
way during the semester. It was very rewarding to work with this group of
students and I look forward to seeing them thrive even more as they get
fully involved in their college experiences.
Anna Kennedy
Year(s): 2 Major: Nursing
Anna plans to take the NCLEX-RN board and (hopefully!) work
as a med-surg or oncology nurse at the Pinnacle Health
system in the Harrisburg area. Memorable Moment: The
most memorable and rewarding thing to me as a peer mentor
was simply getting to help students. I loved building new
relationships with great people I otherwise wouldn’t get to
meet, and even better, being a source of help for them and
answering questions they might have had.
Katie Manganello
Year(s): 2 Major: Psychology
Katie is going to be traveling and attending a graduate program in
clinical psychology starting next fall.
Memorable Moment: Connecting with other students and being
able to help the younger students and show them the ropes of
college was my favorite part.
Lindsay Bittle
Year(s): 3 Major: Social Work
I plan to attend graduate school to get my Master in Social Work (MSW).
Memorable Moment: It is difficult to choose a particular experience that
was the most memorable or most rewarding. Each year my new class of
students gave me memorable and rewarding experiences. Entering college
can be a scary experience and one of the most rewarding things about
being a peer mentor is being able to provide support and someone for
them to listen to. My favorite part about being a peer mentor is getting to
create a connection and build a relationship with each of my students. I can honestly say that
each year I have created relationships that have lasted well beyond FYS that one semester, I have
made some really great friends. Providing that support and building those relationships is the
best part of being a peer mentor. If I was able to help just one person with anything they may
have needed, then I feel I have successfully done my job. That’s reward enough.
Amy Segen
Year(s): 1 Major: Behavioral Health
Hopefully graduate school for Recreational Therapy .
Memorable Moment: Being able to talk to the students and to
get to know them.
Jessica Newcomer
Year(s): 2
Major: Political Science and Communication
Hopefully get a job working in public relations and then go to
grad school for a masters in political communication.
Memorable Moment: Getting to know two years of great
students and being able to walk around campus and see them
getting involved and doing well!
Terry Harrington
Year(s): 1 Major: Healthcare Science
I plan on going to graduate school for a Master in Business
Administration so that I may one day become a part of a
management or administrative staff in a healthcare setting. One
day I hope to be able to return to school for some sort of PhD or
Doctorate program so I may be able to teach those at a university
level. Another goal of mine is to try motivational speaking and possibly find myself on Ted Talk one day. I plan to continue dressing as
the Spider-man of Reading, PA and visiting children and attending
awareness events not only in Southeastern Pennsylvania, but
hopefully to other states as well. Where ever there is someone that
needs help, I plan to be there lending a hand.
Memorable Moment: The first day of service that the First Year
Seminar Classes had to do together. To see the amount of team
work and leadership that went on as well as stepping out of
comfort zones was truly aspiring.