Peer Mentors
Jade Wood | Peer Mentor
Schedule an Appointment with Jade on Starfish
A little about me …
Hi! My name is Jade Wood and I am a sophomore from Appleton Wisconsin. I am majoring in psych and intend to get certificates in Business, History, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I am in the UW Madison improv group The Understudies, and I enjoy socializing, reading, and doing active things such as hiking, running, and going to the gym.
My first year …
My freshman year I found that finding a community in Madison would require a lot more intentional effort on my part than it did in high school. I tried many different clubs such as DND, ballroom dancing, and human resources. It can be very daunting at times, but I am happy with how things have turned out for me so far.
One piece of advice …
Given that, my one piece of advice would be to explore. You will never have as much access to this many interesting and unique clubs and classes on fascinating subjects as you do now. If you want to do something new, do it. The right community for you may not always be obvious, but once you find it it is definitely worth the effort.
Valeria Moreno Lopez | Peer Mentor
Schedule an Appointment with Valeria on Starfish
A little about me …
Hi, my name is Valeria! I’m a Junior double-majoring in Psychology and Social Welfare, with a certificate in Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies. I’m from Madison, WI, and some of my hobbies include traveling, dancing, and trying new things.
My first year …
My first year was full of exploration, both academically and personally. With time and the help of campus resources (like the Org Fair), I was able to find spaces where I felt included and establish a routine that worked for me.
One piece of advice …
One piece of advice I have is to prioritize a self-care routine. Having designated times in the morning and at night to take care of yourself can help you feel more grounded and clear your mind. Remember that even small things can make a difference!
Bella Zantow | Peer Mentor
Schedule an Appointment with Bella on Starfish
A little about me …
Hi, I’m Bella! I’m a second-year student majoring in Legal Studies with a certificate in Criminal Justice. I’m from Oak Creek, WI!
My first year …
My first year of college was about making time for myself. I wanted to have time to study to succeed in my classes while also meeting new people and trying new things. Keeping an organized calendar helped me balance my routine between school and fun.
One piece of advice …
My piece of advice is not to be afraid to ask for help! Moving to a huge campus can be overwhelming. Whether you’re struggling in a class or just need someone to talk to, you can reach out for help. There are so many amazing resources available to you that can help make your college experience a little easier!
Rosa Jimenez | Peer Mentor
Schedule an Appointment with Rosa on Starfish
A little about me …
My name is Rosa Jimenez, I am a Senior majoring in Psychology and Legal Studies with certificates in Chicane/Latine Studies and Criminal Justice. I am originally from Delavan, WI and my hobbies include dancing, crocheting, and hanging out with friends. You can ask me about campus resources, Multicultural Greek life, and pretty much anything else!
My first year …
My first year on campus was definitely a transition; coming from such a small town to a larger city was a challenge at first, but after taking some time to explore I became very comfortable with my new environment. I took some time to look into student organizations that uplifted and supported me which helped me find a sense of belonging on campus.
One piece of advice…
My biggest piece of advice would be to not be afraid to try something new. If you take a moment to step out of your comfort zone you might find something you actually really enjoy!
Grace Leatherbury | Peer Mentor
Schedule an Appointment with Grace on Starfish
A little about me …
Hi, my name is Grace and I am a senior studying finance and accounting at UW Madison. I am from Mequon, WI and my hobbies include oil painting and spending time outside.
My first year …
I was very indecisive and joined many different clubs. I also spent lots of time at Memorial Library!
One piece of advice…
Do something for yourself often – college is all about time management!
Michaela Frichner | Office of Experiential Learning
Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, Peer Mentor Coordinator
frichner@wisc.edu
The peer mentors will be your primary source for support, but Michaela is happy to meet with you as well! Please e-mail with any questions or if you would like to meet 1:1 with Michaela.
A little about me …
- Second-year in the Masters of Social Work Program at UW-Madison, studying to work with others to make change in the systems that we live in
- Attended New York University for undergrad and graduated with a BS in Applied Psychology
- Lived in Santa Cruz, CA for the past few years, working as a case manager with unhoused and foster youth
- I love spending time outside, making music, and dancing wherever I can!
One piece of advice…
Don’t limit yourself to what you see in front of you — practice “Radical Imagination” and imagine a world in which you could accomplish whatever you wanted, no barriers or roadblocks. Focus on what you can control within that dream, and try for it!
Cheri Barta, PhD | Director, Office of Experiential Learning
Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, Peer Mentor Supervisor
The peer mentors will be your primary source for support, and Dr. Barta can be a great resource for questions, too! Please e-mail with any questions or if you would like to meet 1:1 with Dr. Barta.
A little about me …
- Director of the Office of Experiential Learning, an office that connects undergraduate students to high-impact practices, including undergraduate research, study abroad, and career/internship opportunities
- Attended University of Nebraska-Kearney for undergrad (BS-Chemistry; Minor-Biology) and University of British Columbia-Vancouver, Canada for graduate school (PhD-Bioinorganic Chemistry)
- Outside of UW-Madison, I enjoy spending a lot of time with family, baking, camping, being outside, and attending my kid’s athletic events.
One piece of advice …
Ask lots of questions!!! We are all here to support you in your success and absolutely love when students utilize campus resources to ask questions! No question is to0 big or small!