Meet our Peer Mentors
Pathways Program® Peer Mentors collaborate with Pathways Advisors to co-facilitate the delivery of seminar modules and co-lead class discussions for two classes of PTH 101 and PTH 102 while mentoring approximately 30 first-year students.
Pathways Program® Peer Mentors are ultimately responsible for helping first-year students with their academic and personal transition to college; providing students with avenues for peer advice and feedback; and listening and responding appropriately to students’ issues and challenges while connecting students to appropriate campus resources and opportunities. They also serve as advocates for the interests, needs and concerns of first-year students at Furman while promoting student thriving, involvement, and engagement. They are responsible for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students that fosters a sense of belonging and supports the student’s development.
Meet our peer mentors
Meet Amrithaa
Furman Class: 2028
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Majors: Biology and Music
Involvement:
Belle Voci
Furman University Association of Students Interested in Asia
Institute for the Advancement of Community Health Community Health Champion
Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students
Pathways Peer Mentor
Piano for Young People Student Teacher
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Furman’s Pathways Program is what you make of it. Though there may be modules you find less interesting than others, enter class with a positive attitude and aim to take home at least key point—one that you can apply to your own personal life. Put in the work that you hope to glean from the course, and you will reap the benefits!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
At the end of the day, everyone is on a different path. Your journey is distinct, special, and separate from everyone else’s. So, don’t
try to conform to the standard. Be different. Let yourself grow. Be open to change, and you will thrive at Furman.
Meet Meena
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Major: Biology Major – Biomedical Sciences Track
Involvement:
Furman University Association of Students Interested in Asia
Furman University Fashion Students
Furman University International Student Association
Institute for the Advancement of Community Health Community Health Champion
Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students
Pathways Peer Mentor (2nd Year)
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
We all begin college having lived through different experiences. Pathways is a great way to develop your sense of identity, well being, career, and community. Ultimately, Pathways is what you make it, so go in with an open mind! You’ll reap the benefits of what you’ve put in.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Be patient with yourself! College is a time for personal growth, and everyone’s journey looks different. These next few years are about learning who you are, who you want to be, and how you live your purpose. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and put yourself in new, challenging situations—you never know what you might gain!
Meet Cat
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
Majors: Psychology and Communication Studies-Rhetoric and Advocacy Track
Involvement:
A Moment of Magic
Communications Advisory Board
Furman University Consulting Fellows
Furman University Student Activities Board
Kappa Delta
Pathways Peer Mentor
Psychology Club
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Take Pathways seriously! Furman is so unique in that it was crafted to shape students in all facets of life. There may be some aspects of Pathways that speak more to you than others, but don’t miss out on the opportunity to get to know yourself and your strengths better!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
I wish I had been much kinder to myself! The college transition is overwhelming and so stressful. Have grace and patience for yourself and others 🙂
Meet Grace
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Major: Physics
Minor: Environmental Studies
Involvement:
Pathways Peer Mentor
Society of Physics Students
STEM Ambassadors
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
What you put into pathways is what you will get out. Reflection is more important than you may realize!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Professors are not scary, they love it when you go and ask questions, and building those relationships will help you get more out of the class.
Meet Devin
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: New Kensington, Pennsylvania
Majors: Applied Mathematics and Information Technology
Involvement:
Furman University Jazz Combo
Furman University Ping Pong Association
Low Brass Studio
Pathways Peer Mentor (2nd Year)
Sink or Swim
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
A piece of advice I’d give is to really lean into the community aspect of the course. You’ll get to meet other first years that you otherwise may have never met. Take it as an opportunity to engage with experiences that may differ from your own and consider a wider range of perspectives.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Make sure to put effort into building relationships in college. Talk to your classmates, get to know your neighbors, and especially go to office hours. Your time at Furman will be much easier surrounded by friends!
Meet Kendal
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Majors: Politics and International Affairs, Spanish and Africana Studies-Social Sciences Track
Involvement:
Admission Ambassadors
NAACP
Pathways Peer Mentor
Student League for Black Culture
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Pathways is a took to take advantage of, not run from. It is essential to your first-year student experience that you don’t deny the help it offers you.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Stay malleable and impressionable. Don’t remain set in stone!
Meet Zoey
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Majors: Health Sciences and Spanish
Involvement:
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Furman Club Volleyball
Heller Service Corps
Pathways Peer Mentor (2nd Year)
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
In college, you will quickly realize that everyone’s journey looks different, and that’s perfectly okay! Pathways is your opportunity to explore what your own journey will look like and to start shaping the person you want to become. Use Pathways as a space to reflect on what matters to you and grow over time. Take advantage of conversations with your advisor and peer mentor, because those relationships can shape your experience just as much as the program itself.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. It’s easy to feel pressure to have everything figured out right away, but growth takes time, and your first year is about building a foundation that will shape the rest of your college experience. While academics are important, it’s just as important to find something you love outside of the classroom. Getting involved and trying new things can help you discover new passions and create a more balanced, meaningful experience that you will look back on and be proud of!
Meet Aubin
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Efoulan Yaounde, CE Cameroon
Major: Physics
Minor: Data Analytics
Involvement:
Academic Policies Committee Student Representative
Pathways Peer Mentor
Student Diversity Council
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Don’t assume — figure out which people are best qualified to answer your questions and reach out.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Time moves faster than you expect. Those two years in Pathways are one of the best opportunities you’ll have to form real, lasting connections with the people around you.
Meet Lena
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Watertown, Connecticut
Major: Psychology
Involvement:
Ladies of Distinction
Pathways Peer Mentor
Psychology Club
Student Accountability Hearing Board
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Utilize this course and its resources. Your professor, peer mentor, and classmates are there to help, and everyone is figuring it out together. The more you lean into this experience, the more meaningful it will become.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Go into everything with an open mind. Some moments can feel challenging or uncomfortable, but those growing pains are part of the process so embrace the growth. That’s what makes this experience so special.
Meet Sara Beth
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Jackson, Georgia
Majors: Communication Studies-Media Studies Track and Business Administration-Marketing Track
Minors: Journalism and Visual Strategy
Involvement:
Academic Discipline Committee Student Representative
Aslpha Delta Pi
Communication Advisory Board
Furman Women in Business
Pathways Peer Mentor
Reformed University Fellowship
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Don’t be afraid to reach out to your Pathways instructor for advice and guidance! They are so knowledgeable about Furman and can answer so many of the niche questions that come up. Go to their office and chat with them – they are there to help!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
It’s incredibly easy to get involved at Furman, and even easier to overcommit. Give yourself time to figure out where you truly belong and what you’re most passionate about. Once you find that, don’t hesitate to step away from the things that don’t matter as much. That way, you can fully invest your time, energy, and heart into the things that really do.
Meet Gabrielle
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Fort Mill, South Carolina
Majors: Business Administration-Marketing Track and Communication Studies-Media Studies Track
Involvement:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Center for Interpersonal Connections Student Manager
Lambda Pi Eta Communications Association Honors Society
NAACP
On Discourse Student Ambassador
Orientation Staff
Paladin Admission Liaison
Pathways Peer Mentor
Phi Eta Sigma
Pre-Law Society
Student League for Black Culture
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Pathways provides you with the tools to be a successful student and a balanced human being at Furman. Be intentional about asking questions and engage meaningfully with the course materials, and you will find yourself acquiring skills that help you to thrive!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
As a first-year student, I wish I had understood that it’s completely okay to pivot, even from things I once felt certain about. Furman creates an environment that encourages exploration and curiosity, rather than expecting you to stay committed to a path that may no longer fit. I experienced this firsthand when choosing my major and certain leadership roles, realizing that growth sometimes means letting go of what once felt like the “right” choice to pursue what truly aligns with you.
Meet Will
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Majors: Economics and Accounting
Involvement:
Academic Advising Committee Student Representative
Admission Ambassadors
Alpha Phi Omega
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
It is entirely okay not to know what you want to do. You do not have to have the next 50 years of your career planned in your first year. College is a time to learn about your passions and yourself! Take whatever classes sound interesting and you think you’d enjoy. You have plenty of time to decide on your career. Take these 4 years to learn what you love and what you want to pursue.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
I wish I had known that college isn’t about being perfect. You may struggle, and you may even fail, but this is all a part of the learning experience. College can often make you feel like your grades are the only thing that’s important, but they’re not. What’s most important above all else is that you learn, and sometimes that requires you to struggle and get out of your comfort zone.
Meet Mack
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Murray Hill, Kentucky
Major: Health Sciences
Involvement:
Chi Omega
Club Rugby
Paladin Admissions Liaison
Pathways Peer Mentor
Sports Medicine Student Assistant
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Make the most out of your circumstances! College is what you make it and having a good experience begins with having a good mindset.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Keep an open mind and explore your interests, whether that is with majors or clubs or other involvements within Greenville. Sometimes it is better to be undecided and figure thins out through experience.
Meet Clay
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Lancaster, South Carolina
Major: Neuroscience
Involvement:
Club Soccer
Collaborative Neuroscience Society
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Global Health Alliance
Pathways Peer Mentor
Study Abroad Committee Student Representative
Teaching Assistant for Biopsyschology
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Keep an open mind and stay disciplined with doing the small assignments. There will be skills you cultivate that may not be incredibly important to your lifestyle at that moment, but after you develop later in undergrad, your lifestyle will change and those things will become very useful.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Be intentional with everything you try to take part in and go into each class or activity with an open mind. I would try to stay away from doing things just for the sake of doing it and pursue involvement in things that are personally rewarding.
Meet Kimberlyn
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Irmo, South Carolina
Major: Neuroscience
Involvement:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Collaborative Neuroscience Society
Furman University News Channel
Pathways Peer Mentor
Resident Assistant
Residential Life Council
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Participate in class. The information is often helpful even when it seems redundant.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Being social is equally as important as staying on top of your studies.
Meet Fran
Class Year: 2028
Hometown/Country: Sandy Springs, Georgia
Major: Sociology
Minor: Film Studies
Involvement:
Furman University News Channel Radio Host
Improvable Cause
Paladin Admissions Liaison
Pathways Peer Mentor
The Echo Literary Magazine
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Your Pathways advisor is one of the best resources on campus. They are there to help you succeed and they want to see you go out and do amazing things! Pathways is a great place to connect with people in your cohort, as you stay with them for two years! Connect with them, and you will always see a smiling face on campus.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Take things slow! College is a really exciting and new experience, but taking time for yourself is equally as important. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself in your classes, as well as ask questions as they arise. This isn’t just a new experience for you, the rest of your cohort is in the same group! Connect with them and make those lifelong friendships!
Meet Emmett
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina
Majors: Applied Mathematics and Chemistry-Biochemistry Track
Minor: Data Analytics
Involvement:
Catalyst Chemistry Tutor
ECO Rep
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Take advantage of everything you can learn, and don’t squander it.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Look for all the hidden quiet places on campus from the library to the random unlocked classrooms. They make the best study spots to lock yourself away in.
Meet Chioma
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Jos, Nigeria
Major: Health Sciences
Minor: Medicine, Health, and Culture
Involvement:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
First Generation Student Alliance
Furman University International Student Association
Institute for the Advancement of Community Health Community Health Champion
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Be open-minded: you get out what you put in.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Expect to grow over the next four years. Yes, change may be hard, but not all change is bad. In fact, some change is actually necessary!
Meet Ella
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Major: Applied Mathematics
Minor: Data Analytics
Involvement:
Furman Teaching Fellows
Heller Service Corps
Mathematics Student Advisory Board
Pathways Peer Mentor
Zeta Tau Alpha
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Be intentional about building relationships with your classmates and advisor!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Always ask for help when you need it. Resources at Furman are so accessible and your success is important!
Meet Palmer
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Greer, South Carolina
Major: Physics
Involvement:
Club Tennis
Heller Service Corps
Pathways Peer Mentor
Spikeball Club
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
My piece of advice is to be open. Pathways is a unique program that will only come around once. I recommend taking in all it can offer in the countless ways it can help you on your college journey. Everyone will have their own takeaway that will aid them as they adjust to college life.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
I would recommend getting involved in as many programs you find interesting as you can. The first year is a great time to get involved. Take chances to explore the area outside of your comfort zone; it is the best way to meet new people.
Meet Sofia
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Major: Psychology
Minor: Latin American and Latinx Studies
Involvement:
Academic Advising Committee Student Representative
Hispanic Outreach and Latinx Awareness (HOLA)
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Get involved with as many clubs that interest you as you can! Additionally, take advantage of the different resources Furman has to offer, like the Mental Fitness Center.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do with your life post-grad as a freshman! Take different classes and take part in different opportunities: you will eventually find what calls to you.
Meet London
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Mcminnville, Tennessee
Majors: Communication and Media Studies and French
Minor: Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Involvement:
Communications Advisory Board
Furman University Student Activities Board
Paladin Admissions Liaison
Pathways Peer Mentor
Pi Kappa Phi
Residential Life Council
Summer Orientation Staff
THRIVE Committee Student Representative
Trone Student Center Staff
University Communications Student Content Creator
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program Ambassador
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Use your Pathways class time as a moment to reflect and regroup as you navigate your Furman experience! Talking openly and honestly with your cohort, peer mentor, and Pathways advisor about your feelings and any questions that arise throughout your Freshman and Sophomore years helps you gain more insight and feel even more comfortable on campus, further preparing you for life beyond Furman.
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
You have the freedom to explore all sorts of opportunities on campus! Don’t limit your passions or career intentions before giving ample time to a wide range of involvements, coursework, or communities, and allow yourself to truly find and express the values that make you who you are. Exploration is a key component of the full Furman experience!
Meet Mackenzie
Class Year: 2028
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Major: Business Administration-Business Administration Track
Involvement:
Kappa Delta
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Go into this course with an open mind. Even if you have learned about some of these topics previously, be ready to expand your knowledge! You never know what you might take away and use in both your academic and personal lives!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Find a school-life balance. Furman can get overwhelming with academics at times, so finding a balance is really important so you don’t get burnt out. Academics are important, but they aren’t everything. Take time every day to do something with your friends or to do something for yourself. Maintaining your stamina and your mental health is the key to success!
Meet Meagan
Class Year: 2027
Hometown: Johns Island, South Carolina
Major: Communication Studies-Media Studies Track
Minors: Journalism and Visual Strategy
Involvement:
Club Basketball
Club Swim
Delta Delta Delta
Heller Service Corps
Native American Indigenous Association
Pathways Peer Mentor
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Have an open mind and a want to learn! We are here to help you!
What’s a piece of advice you would give first-year students regarding what you wish you had known as a first-year student?
Best DH Dessert: Get a bowl, smash a cookie in the bottom and put ice cream and sprinkles on it. Thank me later!
