Meet our Peer Mentors
Pathways 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 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 of a sense of identity.
Meet our peer mentors
Meet Srikar
Furman Class: 2023
Hometown: Simpsonville, South Carolina
Major: Chemistry
Involvement:
Admissions Ambassadors
Admission Concierge
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Association for Students Interested in Asia
American Chemical Society
Furman University International Students Association
Pathways Peer Mentor
Peer Assisted Learning Consultant
Quaternion Club
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Meeting so many new people and learning about their stories!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Come into the class with an open mind and willingness to meet students and share your experiences. While the topics may not seem to help you, your stories might help others who are struggling in that area!
Meet Zach
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Majors: Business Administration and Health Sciences
Involvement:
Furman FCA
Furman University Cycling Team
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
One of my favorite parts about being a peer mentor is building a deep relationship with each of my mentees.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Meet Alex
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Simpsonville, South Carolina
Majors: Communication Studies and Psychology
Involvement:
Admissions Ambassador
Admissions Concierge
Delta Delta Delta
Heller Service Corps
Orientation Staff
Pathways Peer Mentor
Residential Life Council
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I really enjoy making the transition for new students as smooth as possible. I like being a resource that my students can come to for advice about any aspect of their transition behind the realm of academics.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
I would advise a student to get to know the others in your class. It is a great way to start building community with a group you will have for your first two years.
Meet Kevin
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: N Tonawanda, New York
Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry Track)
Involvement:
Academic Policies Committee Student Representative
Furman Justice Forum
DEI Representative, Furman Pride Alliance & LGBTQ+ DEI Subcommittee
Dins Dialogue Facilitator
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part about being a peer mentor has been getting to know and building connections with all of my mentees and fellow peer mentors.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
I would say to keep an open mind. While a lot of the information and activities that we will go over/do in the first semester can be trivial at times, they are important and are building to bigger, more exciting applicable things.
Meet Gourgit
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Simpsonville, South Carolina
Major: Health Sciences
Involvement:
MedEx Ambassador
Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS)
Pathways Peer Mentor
Resident Assistant
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part about being a Peer Mentor so far has been the one-on-ones with my students. It has been so rewarding getting to see my students make the decision that they are going to be vulnerable with me. This has allowed us to get closer and to find ways to help each other more effectively.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Take advantage of it. I was not apart of Pathways my first and second year, but felt like those who were in it gained so much. Ask questions and make it fun!
Meet Abby
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Cornelius, North Carolina
Majors: Computer Science and Applied Mathematics
Involvement:
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I like the ability to be able to learn from each other. While my job is to share my experiences and what I have learned from those experiences, I learn so much from students sharing in class. Students come from all different backgrounds and have learned different things everyone adds so much value to the class.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Take advantage of it. You are with a group of students that you may have never talked to otherwise. Listen to what they are saying and you will learn so much!
Meet Hanna
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Painesville, Ohio
Major: Psychology
Involvement:
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Epsilon Delta
Paladin Peer Support
Pathways Peer Mentor
Psychology Club
Senior Order
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I have loved meeting many first-year students and seeing them settle into college life. I also love seeing them open up in class as the semester progresses as they gain confidence in who they are and what their values are.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Be open-minded. You never know which lesson is going to be the biggest asset for you moving forward with not only school, but life.
Meet Adrian
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Chanhassen, Minnesota
Majors: Physics and Applied Mathematics
Involvement:
Physics Club
Furman University Outdoors Club
Furman University Track and Field Team
Pathways Peer Mentor
Student Government Association
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Helping the First-Year students with the same issues I struggled with when I was in their position, and seeing them build relationships with the others in the class, which is an experience I continue to benefit from in my third year at Furman.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Approach everything at Furman, and in life, with an open mind, not just Pathways. Having an open mind and a fluid perspective allows you to connect on a deeper level with other students’ experiences, and make more profound realizations within yourself.
Meet Sarah
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Major: Sociology
Involvement:
Paladin Peer Support
Pathways Peer Mentor
Resident Assistant
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Having the opportunity to build relationships and connections has been my favorite part about being a Peer Mentor. Learning how to work alongside a faculty/staff member to teach the Pathways curriculum is rewarding. Although, my absolute favorite part has been making connections with all of my mentees!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
To first year students beginning Pathways, keep a positive outlook on the program. If you enter class every week with a positive frame of mind, you will begin to see the benefits of the program.
Meet Helen
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Croton-On-Hudson, New York
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Data Analytics
Involvement:
Delta Gamma
Furman University Chess Club
Furman University Culinary Club
Furman University Cryptology Club
Furman Justice Forum
Furman University Investment Club
Furman University Pre-Dental Club
Furman University Student Entrepreneurship Association
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part about being a Peer Mentor has been building relationships with the first year-students in my classes and watching them grow and thrive at Furman.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
My best words of advice would be to go into Pathways with a positive attitude and open mind. Some Pathways classes you may feel you already have down but one of the beauties of this program is that you can then provide your peers, who may need extra help, with advice. Additionally, your peer mentors are there to help you but also there to be your friend! I love going to grab coffee or chatting with the students in my classes whether they need help figuring out what classes to take the next semester or just want to catch up!
Meet Scott
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
Majors: Vocal Performance and Religion
Involvement:
Chamber Choir
Furman Singers
Omicron Delta Kappa
Pathways Peer Mentor
Pi Kappa Phi
Sarah Reese Lyric Theatre
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I have enjoyed sharing my tips and tricks on how to survive as a Furman Student (hint: consult your syllabi).
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Develop a system to keep yourself organized. I’ve seen calendars, checklists, planners, 5-minute-incrementation of days, and people who pin their syllabi on the ways of their dorm room. Whatever it is for you, that’s essential, bare minimum effort to make sure you remain on top of your work at Furman.
Meet Abijah
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Greer, South Carolina
Majors: Politics and International Affairs and Africana Studies
Involvement:
Dins Dialogue Facilitator
Furman University Gospel Ensemble
Furman University Club Volleyball
Mosaic Ambassador
NAACP
Pathways Peer Mentor
Riley Institute Advance Team
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part about being a mentor has definitely been helping first-year students with what they are experiencing in their first year and advocating for them when given the opportunity.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Take advantage of the information given to you through Pathways because the information can have a positive impact on your experiences at Furman.
Meet Sarah
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina
Major: Psychology
Involvement:
Academic Advising Committee Student Representative
Delta Delta Delta
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Being able to help other people while also creating new friendships!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
This program is here to help you, so don’t give up on it quickly and remember you get out of it what you give in.
Meet Taryn
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: North August, South Carolina
Major: Music Performance (Percussion)
Involvement:
Curricular Initiatives Committee Student Representative
DEI Committee Representative in Music Department
Dins Dialogue Facilitator
Furman Bands
Furman Symphony Orchestra
Furman Percussion Ensemble
NAACP
Omicron Delta Kappa
Pathways Peer Mentor
Resident Assistant
Student League for Black Culture
Unity
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Getting to talk to my students outside of the classroom!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Self-care is key…make sure you do whatever you need to do to be the best version of yourself.
Meet Devin
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
Major: Psychology
Involvement:
Dintonation
Furman University Political Thought Club
Furman University Philosophy Club
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I love working with the advisors to cater a weekly lesson plan to our classes. Over the semester, you get to know what works best with the dynamics of a particular group.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
As with anything in life, Pathways is what you put into it. As you engage more in class and try to be introspective you can gain more from this unique opportunity.
Meet Frances
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: Vienna, Virginia
Majors: Religion and History
Involvement:
Chi Omega
Furman Music Department, Piano
Heller Service Corps
Mere Christianity Forum
Omicron Kappa Delta
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I have been grateful for the opportunities to build relationships with faculty members and get to know the incoming class of first-year students! I love seeing them around campus.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Pathways is about building community–the curriculum is full of useful information to help you thrive in college, but it is also about making sure that all Furman students are on the same page and have common experiences to share!
Meet Lexi
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Hopkins, South Carolina
Major: Health Sciences on the Pre-Health Track
Involvement:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Furman University Dance Team
Hearst Fellows
Omicron Delta Kappa
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part about being a Peer Mentor is that it made me step out of my comfort zone and connect with my peers. I was, also, nervous that I would not have any advice and that my peers wouldn’t want to ask me questions. However, it has been a completely different experience. Having one-on-ones with my peers about their experiences, their lives, and their plans, all while having the opportunity to teach modules or simply share advice, like about class scheduling, has made this a unique experience. I enjoy being able to answer their questions or hear about how they’re growing with their Furman journey.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
A piece of advice that I would give a first-year student starting Pathways is not to be afraid to ask questions. Asking questions is how you learn and how you can grow. I was scared to ask questions, fearful that people would think I was clueless. After I started asking questions, I haven’t stopped. Not only do I learn from asking questions, but I have also learned that I am not alone.
Meet Haley
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Powder Springs, Georgia
Major: ICP – Public Policy Studies
Involvement:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Furman Prison Education Partnership Student Group
Pathways Peer Mentor
Resident Assistant
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
The best part of being a peer mentor has been forging new connections and learning with my peers. Another thing that I have enjoyed is being able to be an active member within my community and to contribute in the experiences of my peers.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
One piece of advice that I have for pathways is to take the initiative of expanding the resources you learn in Pathways within your larger professional and developmental endeavors Pathways is powerful because of the universal tools that it equips students with that will help students thrive during their Furman careers and after. So in short, maximize the opportunity of Pathways and use it to really advance your professional personal goals as a first-year student.
Meet Sarah
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Visual Strategies
Involvement:
Alpha Delta Pi
Furman Metropolitan Fellowship
Pathways Peer Mentor
Residential Life Council
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Making connections with first years! It wouldn’t have been as easy for me if I wasn’t in this role!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Figure out how you study best and at what times you’re most productive during the day!
Meet Botamina
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Simpsonville, South Carolina
Major: Health Sciences
Involvement:
Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection Student Advisory Board
First-Generation Student Alliance
Furman University International Student Association
Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students
Pathways Peer Mentor
Shucker Leadership Institute
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
My favorite part of being a peer mentor is being able to foster a relationship with my students and being a resource and friend to them. I’m honored to be a small puzzle piece in their journey at Furman.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Give yourself the opportunity to learn. Embracing this as a part of your journey will make Pathways more fruitful for you.
Meet Devin
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Simpsonville, South Carolina
Major: Economics and Politics and International Affairs
Involvement:
FUTones
Pi Kappa Phi
Pauper Players
Pathways Peer Mentor
Furman Radio Station
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
I have loved connecting with both my mentees and advisors in both a professional and non-professional environment.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Don’t be hard on yourself if everything doesn’t seem perfect the first week, month, or even semester. In time you will find your place.
Meet Jayden
Class Year: 2024
Hometown: Easley, South Carolina
Majors: Psychology and Spanish
Minor: Linguistics
Involvement:
Furman University Gospel Ensemble
Hispanic Outreach & Latinx Awareness
Pathways Peer Mentor
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Meeting new people, establishing relationships, and being able to give back to the Furman community has been my favorite part about being a peer mentor.
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
A piece of advice that I would give a first-year student starting Pathways is to take advantage of all the beneficial opportunities that are at your disposal. As a junior, I can attest to the fact that these four years fly by! Cherish the experience and learn as much as you can!
Meet Joci
Class Year: 2023
Hometown: West Haven, Connecticut
Major: Chemistry (Biochemistry Track)
Involvement:
Academic Advising Committee Student Representative
Alpha Delta Pi
American Chemical Society
Chemistry Researcher
Furman University Club Soccer
Pathways Peer Mentor
Relay For Life
Student Teaching Fellow
The Woodlands at Furman
What has been your favorite part about being a Peer Mentor?
Making a student’s day, whether it is sending them an encouraging message or giving advice; it is an honor be someone students look up to!
What is a piece of advice you would give a first-year student starting Pathways?
Have an open mind. Different parts of Pathways will resonate with you more than others.
