My name is Ellie Kurt, I am a History Major and Fine Arts Minor in my second year at Roosevelt. I am also a Peer Mentor in the Learning Commons.
I came to Roosevelt from a non-traditional high school background. I was on homebound, which basically means I was still enrolled in public school, but because of my chronic health problems and mental illness, I did school from home and a teacher would come to my house to help me with my classes and proctor my tests. I was very apprehensive to begin college because I hadn’t been in a formal educational setting consistently for almost six years. In preparing to come to Roosevelt me, parents, and doctors decided it would be good for me to get accommodations for my mental and physical health issues through disability services. While there, the then director told me about the peer mentor program. When I started in August my peer mentor Vera got in contact with me. Vera would read my papers and helped me try to be social. She did a great deal to make me feel like Roosevelt was the right place for me to be and that I could succeed in college even with the challenges I face. Along the way she became one of my best friends and we still see each other and talk a lot even though she graduated last semester. I became a mentor myself this semester because I wanted to help students the way Vera has helped me. I can say confidently that the Mentors are one of the most welcoming communities at Roosevelt. I would encourage freshmen to join the program even if they feel confident academically, it is nice to have someone to talk to and help you get integrated into the University socially.
The Peer Mentor Program is a resource for all students here at Roosevelt. It is a common misconception that we only serve freshman and students with disabilities. The program allows students to get advice about college from someone else who is going through the same thing. We help students get organized by helping them develop ways to keep track of their assignments and balance their school, work, and social lives. Another way we serve students is by teaching test taking, stress management, and study skills. I have also helped students get in contact with their professors and other resources here at Roosevelt. The mentors also host events, like Peace and Love Fest in February and Friendsgiving, and go to other events on campus with mentees as a way of building the Roosevelt community. Basically, Peer Mentors are here to help students to succeed in college. I would encourage freshmen to join the program even if they feel confident academically, it is nice to have someone to talk to and help you get integrated into the University socially.
