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Honors Peer Mentors
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Honors Mentoring NetworkAn essential component of the Honors community is the students who lend their energy, talent, and wisdom to help incoming Honors freshmen and transfer students thrive in their new surroundings. The Honors Mentoring Network is an opportunity for upper-level students to give back to new Honors students in myriad ways. Peer mentors complete a semester-long training course that focuses on resource referrals, student development theories, and counseling techniques. They also meet regularly with new Honors students to help them adjust to class demands, develop time management and study skills, and learn to navigate Philadelphia and Temple University resources. Read on for more information about each of our Honors Peer Mentors (HPM) for 2011-2012. If you’d like to work with any of the HPMs, feel free to contact them using their contact information below. For more information about applying to become a member of the Honors Mentoring Network, contact Brad at pearsonb@temple.edu.
Summer Beckley, Quakertown, PA
I grew up in a house surrounded by trees, outside the small town of Quakertown, PA. Transitioning to Temple was definitely an adjustment, but I've come to love Philadelphia! As a double major in communications and history, I've learned a lot about scheduling classes in order to fulfill SCAT, CLA, Gen Ed, and Honors requirements - while still graduating in four years and being able to spend a semester abroad in Rome! I'm on the leadership teams for Crosswalk (a Christian organization on campus) and for the Temple Undergraduate History & Social Sciences Association (TUHSSA). Honors has played a huge part in my time at Temple - providing advising, opportunities and support. I hope to be able to give something back by being a part of the Peer Mentoring program. Michael Bova, Mechanicsburg, PA
I was born in Norristown, PA, and moved to Mechanicsburg, PA when I was eight years old. I am a psychology major on the pre-med track. My major has also been biology and anthropology at some point during college, so I can lend advice on a couple of subject matters! Helping students get used to college life is important to me because peer mentors were a big part of my acclimation into college life. My mentor helped by showing me around campus and providing a familiar face. I hope to provide the same service for transitioning freshman! Petra Brayo, Cairo, Egypt and Garnet Valley, PA
When I was applying to Temple, I was surprised that there was a Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience program. So was everybody else. As I would later find out, the year I declared my major was the second year that the College of Science and Technology offered it, and because not many people knew it existed the year before, my class was the guinea pig class. This, of course, meant some frustrating moments along the road when I needed some academic advice and everyone was quite as clueless as me. Through a lot of trial and error and numerous meetings with the professors who designed this program, I developed a good understanding of how to make it work for me. The classes are truly remarkable, the professors are great, and the research experience is priceless. I wanted to be a mentor so that I can pass my experience along, and hope that more people would find neuroscience as amazing as I do. So, if anyone needs any neuroscience or CST advice, start with me! Ashley Centafont, Yardley, PA
I am senior human resources major and president of the Business Honors Student Association. I spend most of my time drinking large amounts of coffee and organizing things. In my free time, I enjoy napping, shopping, exercising, watching movies, going to Phillies games and the beach. I am obsessed with my Blackberry and can never be more than 3 feet away from it. I like meeting and helping new people and hope to make new friends by being a mentor! Ann Dinh, West Chester, PA
My name is Ann Dinh and I was born and raised in West Chester, PA. My parents are immigrants from Vietnam, so I know a little bit of Vietnamese. I am an architecture major with a minor in art. I chose my major because I've always held some interest with buildings and their construction. I love the challenge of designing something complex that is functional but also aesthetically pleasing. I think the best way to help students out is with my own experience. I learned that it is ok to be undecided when you begin college. By being a biology major my first year here, though it was difficult and confusing, in the end I learned from my experience. I never regret changing majors and am happier where I am. I want to help students try to find the right major for them, scheduling classes that encompass their different interests, and help them fulfill course requirements. Rachel Efstathion, Northborough, MA
Coming from Massachusetts, I wasn't sure how I'd make the transition from small town to big city. However, the Honors program has helped Temple feel like home. Through changing my major three times and finally deciding on English (with a Russian minor), to commuting, to being part of and now helping teach Freshman Seminar, I want to offer first hand experiences regarding all the transitions college has to offer. I look forward to building genuine relationships as well as being an excellent resource for all things Temple and Philadelphia. I love everything that Philadelphia has to offer outside of Temple. On the weekends you can find me shopping in Rittenhouse Square, attending plays at the Wilma or brunching in West Philly. Alex Gonzalez, Ridley Township, PA
My name is Alex Gonzalez. I'm a fourth-year Applied Mathematics and Spanish Double Major here at Temple University, so I'm pretty well versed in both the Liberal Arts and Sciences. I'm from Ridley Township, Pennsylvania (about 20 minutes south of the city) I'm knowledgeable in Philadelphia's attractions, and the surrounding area. Stop and say hello! Ben Hovne, Pittsburgh, PA
A devoted math major (call me a nerd, but I know you're one, too) and just starting my senior year, I have had countless adventures and intriguing discoveries exploring Philadelphia. I love hockey, card games, pumpkin pie, and long walks around the city. As a mentor, I hope to provide honest advice regarding anything anyone wants to ask regarding Temple such as which classes to choose, which lunch trucks to go to, or what to do on a Saturday night. I am always eager to meet new people and chat about anything with them. Feel free to email me! Dane Jester, Lancaster, PA
My name is Dane August Jester, and yes, my last name is Jester, no joke. I am a junior studying psychology here at our wonderful Temple University. I have lived the majority of my life being surrounded by the Amish, so moving to Philadelphia was a pretty big step for me. But now, after 3 years in the city, I believe myself very well acquainted to the happenings here in our city. So if you need something fun to do, I’m the one to ask! Vy Luong, York, PA
I'm a senior biochemistry major on the pre-med track, and I'm from York, PA. I chose biochemistry because I wanted to be a science major, but I wanted to set myself apart from the giant mass of pre-med biology majors. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of knowledge from personal experience and advice from countless other people. If I had known as a freshman all the things that I know now, I would have done things differently throughout my undergraduate years. I have an interest in a wide range of things, but with my rigorous major I couldn't find a balance between the things I had to do and the things I wanted to do. I became a mentor hoping that I could help students find the perfect balance between their majors, minors, clubs, organizations, and other activities. Melissa Mackinnon, Reading, PA
My name is Melissa MacKinnon and my hometown is Reading, Pennsylvania. I’m a senior mechanical engineering major at Temple. Being an engineering major is challenging, but I like knowing that there are so many different things that I could do after school with an engineering degree. I love being in the city of Philadelphia and taking advantage of all that the city has to offer. I also like Jeopardy, watching movies, eating, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. I’ve worked hard over the past three years, but I’ve also had lots of fun and new experiences. Having five younger sisters, I felt like being a peer mentor would come pretty naturally to me. The best advice I would have for incoming freshman: ask questions, take chances, and get involved! Getting it wrong is not as bad as not trying! Divya Prakriya, Plainsboro, NJ
Hi, I’m Divya! I came to Temple from Plainsboro, NJ (if that sounds eerily familiar…it is the town where the fictitious House hospital is located) about 10 minutes outside of Princeton. I am currently a senior pre-medical student majoring in Neuroscience: Systems, Behavior and Plasticity with minors in biology and French. As a freshman, I started at Temple as a psychology major with an interest in learning more about how the mind works. My sophomore year, I ended up switching my major to neuroscience because I felt that it perfectly combined both my behavioral and cognitive interests. Community service is a huge part of my life and something I always make time for in my hectic schedule. Aside from all of that I have a semi-unhealthy obsession with coffee, baked goods, sports, music and quotes. Nicole Rossetti, Ivylands, PA
Hi, I’m Nicole Rossetti. I am from Ivyland, PA (it’s in Bucks County). I am a junior majoring in biological anthropology and political science with a minor in Italian. Ultimately I am pre-med, but I have my whole life to study science so I wanted to branch out now while I have the chance. I am currently an RA in 1300. I love anything outdoors or active, especially swimming and skiing; I also love to cook. I wanted to be a peer mentor so that I could be a resource to students who are going through college experiences that I have already navigated. I have learned a lot about Temple and about myself in the past 3 years of being in the Honors program and I want to pass that knowledge on to others. I hope to be someone students can come to when they are facing a difficult decision or challenge, but also just for some fun downtime too! If you see me in 1300 or around campus don’t hesitate to say hello! Kelly Sebzda, Elizabethtown, PA
My name is Kelly Sebzda and I'm from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. After much thought (and major changes), I have decided to be a kinesiology major, concentrating in the sport & exercise science, pre-professional track. At Temple, I'm secretary and an enthusiastic member of the Women's Club Volleyball team, as well as an Honors Peer Mentor and student guide for the Honors Admissions and Transitions Team. I wanted to become a mentor because I love helping people and I secretly wish that I had had a mentor to help me out with all the unknowns that come with your first year in college. Marissa Simmons, Franklin Park, NJ
After struggling with being unable to choose a major in the Fox School of Business for 2 years, I realized that maybe that wasn't where I was meant to be. After taking a business law class I discovered my true passion and developed a plan: I would go to law school and, in the mean time, major in something that I really enjoyed. So, as a junior, I became a public relations major, but felt as though I had wasted too much time. What I failed to realize was that, it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, once you discover what you are meant to do, it just clicks. However, if I had someone there to help me, I may have been able to come to this conclusion a little sooner! Similarly, being unable to figure out where I really fit made it hard for me to want to succeed academically. My grades fluctuated until I found my calling, but it was smooth sailing from there. I am hoping that by being a mentor I can facilitate this process for other students who don't know where to turn for help. Luv Sodha
I am an honors student in the Fox School of Business. Currently, I am an accounting and finance double major and a junior. Besides my academic involvement, I am also the Vice President for the Temple University Investment Association and a lead analyst for the Consumer Sector with the Owl Fund, a student run investment fund. Furthermore, I am also a Diamond Peer Teacher, helping Dr. Pred teach business statistics to a cohort of students. I am also a member of ASCEND and Students for Responsible Business. ASCEND is an organization for pan Asian students interested in accounting and finance, but it is open to all ethnicities. This year I will be receiving a national scholarship from ASCEND for $5000, which has been sponsored by Ernst and Young. I am also looking forward to next summer when I will be an audit intern with Deloitte, a big 4 accounting firm. Finally, I am also a tutor at MSRC, and an Alter Research Scholar. Outside of my school activities, I also enjoy playing tennis and racquetball. In fact, I could challenge any of my mentees to a game. I also enjoy reading about the financial markets and investing in them personally. Quincy Walker, Northern New Jersey
I am Quincy Walker, a sophomore honors student. I am a biology and pre-med major, avid Steelers fan and a constant FIFA player. I am from northern Jersey which means I take my visits Seaside Heights as seriously as I take my lacrosse (which is pretty seriously). Apparently I am the youngest peer mentor because this position was meant for juniors and seniors but that just means I can remember more clearly some of the problems which might arise when you first come to the school. I consider myself smart, but severely lacking in time management skills (I am currently watching the Colbert Report as we speak). As an Honors mentor, I hope to make your time at Temple as popping (Jersey slang for fun) as possible. I want you to have a good social experience in order to complement your academic success. I also hope to ease the pain of other biology and pre-med majors by sharing a bit of what the future holds (the wonderful world of organic chemistry) as well as giving them meaningful advice (the Night Owl every day is BAD for you). The thing to take out of this is that the next four to eight years you are in school (you will find super-duper seniors) are supposed to be the best years of your life and I am here to make sure that happens. Have fun around Philly. Go shopping downtown. Take that Thursday night trip to New York for a concert. Go to a couple Phillies games. Just keep that GPA up! Yuval Yarden, Lower Merion, PA
I am double major in Strategic Communications & Organizational Leadership and Judaic studies. I enjoy getting to know people and their interests, cooking (especially stir fries) working out and, of course, spending time with friends. I love organizing events (fantasy job: wedding planner, realistic job: teacher/professional consulting). I absolutely can’t stand peppers (red, green, orange or blue!) Other than that I embrace diversity, which is one of the many reasons I love Temple University. As a peer mentor, I hope to assist new students in their transition to school and to the city of Philadelphia. I hope the Honors Program will be a comfort zone for all students, where they can excel in their studies and get involved in campus life. If you recognize me from this picture, don’t hesitate to say hello!
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