The peer mentoring program is geared for incoming freshmen students that start in the fall. Moreover, transfer students can participate in this program if they are still in freshmen standing -- less than 30 credit hours. In order to utilize their valuable time most effectively as well as minimize spam emails, the contact information for all peer mentors will be disclosed to each group of mentees by the program coordinator. Please note that a peer mentor will advise within his or her communication major. For instance, a public relations peer mentor will advise freshmen students that are also pursuing a public relations major.

Chase Hamann

Chase Hamann is majoring in public relations and Spanish. "... Through this leadership opportunity, [Chase] hopes to share [his] personal experiences and insights with students. [He] thinks that all students deserve to feel confident that they have made the right decision in college, and [he] wants to help them know that this confidence can be achieved ..."

Quote of the Day
"... [Chase] is the kind of student whose interventions are always on target and more perceptive than most other students ... [He] is an excellent participant in group work, which indicates that he will be a gentle yet efficacious peer mentor ..."
Prof. Gema Perez Sanchez, Director of Graduate Studies & Associate Professor at the College of Arts & Sciences

Kemy Joseph

Kemy Joseph is majoring in Motion Pictures and Theater. He wants "... to learn more about the courses offered through the School of Communication in order to aid fellow students decide the most effective and exciting way to earn their bachelors degree ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Kemy's planning skills and technical experiences would make him a great choice for a peer mentor because he has such a wide variety of skills and demonstrates positive interest toward expanding his future career ambitions ..."
Scott D. Woodcock, Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Miami

Lauren Mancino

Lauren Mancino is majoring in communication studies and sociology. As a peer mentor, Lauren wants to "… help people take full advantage of all the opportunities available at the University of Miami …" Moreover, her "… knowledge of the curriculum, attention to detail, and strong perseverance …" are strong assets when mentoring her peers. Furthermore, she has a "… friendly, outgoing personality …" that enables her to "… get along with many different people …"

Quote of the Day
As a student, Lauren has shown "… self-direction and ingenuity in how she completed the assignments … Given [her] diligent work ethic, self motivation, and keen intellect, I am confident that Lauren is equipped to help other students in their quest to succeed at the University of Miami …"
Prof. Stacey Wieland, Department of Communication at Villanova University

Kristen Middleton

Kristen is double majoring in Public Relations and Psychology; she is also pursuing a Marketing minor. She is truly excited about being a peer mentor because she "... loves the University of Miami and would like to share her experiences here [as well as] assist those who are unsure of what classes to take or do not know what to expect from their classes ..."

Quote of the Day
"... I have been very impressed with her professionalism, her poise, and her excellent communication skills ..."
Prof. Edward Baker, Department of Management Science at the School of Business

Christa Ruggiero

Christa Ruggiero is majoring in broadcast journalism and sociology. Christa feels that the peer mentoring program "... will [help] underclassmen understand both the mentoring process and the requirements for majors, minors and general education much more in depth ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Although she is soft spoken, she is a very thoughtful, conscientious individual who is just what a peer counselor can offer as a role model and adviser ... As an exemplary role model, she would encourage her peers to join her as staff writers for the student newspaper ..."
Prof. Shirley Yaskin, Adjunct Lecturer at the School of Communication

Nicole Schade

Nicole Schade is majoring in public relations and political science. She is committed to helping "... students understand why they need to take [required courses as well as] ensure they stay on the right track ..." Also, she wishes to make "... students [feel] comfortable and relaxed about their requirements and remind them to just enjoy the classes they are taking ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Nicole's performance on exams, nearly perfect attendance and attention to detail when completing assignments are all indicators of her serious approach to [her] studies. It is because of this I am confident Nicole is an excellent candidate for the peer mentoring program. Other students could learn a great deal from her, and I know she, in turn, would provide them with excellent counsel ..."
Prof. Olga Martinez-Pagnussat, Adjunct Professor at the School of Communication

Margaret Schatzel

Margaret Schatzel is majoring in motion pictures and anthropology. Margaret desires for students to understand the importance of academic engagement as well as involvement on campus; she is an active "... participant in [the] School of Communication's extracurricular [activities and functions] and knows how beneficial and supplemental these programs can be ..." for students.

Quote of the Day
"... As Margaret Schatzel's former instructor, I can earnestly attest that her reliability, organizational and leadership skills, as well as her ability to work and effectively communicate with others make her an excellent candidate for a peer mentor ..."
Prof. Lisa Gottlieb, Associate Professor in Motion Pictures at the School of Communication

Stephanie Schiffman

Stephanie Schiffman is majoring in public relations and creative writing. Stephanie considers herself "...an effective peer mentor [who] is outgoing, reliable, and dedicated individual ..." Also, she enjoys "... meeting new people and interacting with others ..." Furthermore, she is enthusiastic about "... being a role model to younger students ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Because of her combination of intellect and character as well as excellent communication skills, I herewith offer my recommendation on Ms. Schiffman's behalf without any reservations ... I am confident that she will make a valued addition to your team of peer mentors ..."
Prof. Eugene Arva, Department of English at the College of Arts & Sciences

Laura Simon

Laura is majoring in public relations and Spanish. She desires to participate in the peer mentoring program because "… it is a great way to provide younger students with advice [as well as] encouragement …" -- especially after being in their shoes.

Quotes of the Day
Laura is "… responsible and dedicated … She handles any task with the utmost customer service in mind … She has maintained a high level of professionalism and has been very helpful in staffing several high level events on campus, including high-level press conferences and the visit by Senator Hillary Clinton, among others …"
Karla V. Hernandez, Director, Office of Media Relations at UM

Laura Simon “… has been and continues to be an excellent student … Ms. Simon’s ability to understand abstraction and put it into concrete action has been demonstrated in all her classes. I believe that she is the prototype student …” for the peer mentoring program.
Prof. Don W. Stacks, Director of the Public Relations Program at the School of Communication

Kimberly Thompson

Kimberly Thompson is majoring in broadcast journalism and history. Moreover, she is pursuing a history minor. She feels that the peer mentoring program will be "... a great [opportunity] to help our communication school grow ..." Furthermore, she hopes to be instrumental by teaching her younger peers about "... equipment, ... editing, [and] the control room ..." Most importantly, she wants to help students "... learn the ropes when they first get to our school, ... [which will give] them an edge through their remaining years ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Kimberly has proven herself as a leader with UMTV ... [She] gets along with everyone. She has worked hard on several shows ... As a Promotion Manager, [she portrays] herself as a total team player. She brings a positive, can-do attitude to campus every day and consistently gives a 150% effort to every project she takes on ..."
Steve Yavner, Director of Broadcast Operations at the School of Communication

Teadora Thosath

Teddi Thosath is majoring in broadcast journalism and political science. She is also pursuing a sports administration minor. As president in student government, during her high school career, Teddi helped create a program similar to the peer mentoring program. This aforementioned program "... helped students excel in their studies [as well as] on campus ..." Consequently, Teddi looks "...forward to being a part of the peer mentoring program in the School of Communication ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Teddi has a natural aura about her, one that draws people in and puts them at ease. She is humble, smart, and a great friend ..."
Rabbi Shlomo Sprung, Executive Director CLE

Rachel Tucker

Rachel Tucker is a junior majoring in media management and international studies. She is also pursuing a marketing minor. She is originally from the Midwest and loves to travel the world, study, experience, and learn about other cultures and communication. She looks forward to providing future students with the same well rounded guidance she received about the University of Miami. "... It is much easier to trust and listen to older students who have been through the same experience ... the younger students are about to encounter. It is also nice to discuss class selection, professors, majors/minors, etc. in a casual manner ..."

Quote of the Day
"... Rachel has an infectious curiosity for the field of communication. She dreams of a future in the global mass media and is willing to take on the challenges that this profession imposes. Clearly, Rachel is a great professional in making [the peer mentoring] an invaluable experience for her, both educationally and personally ..."
Prof. Leonardo Ferreira, Associate Dean & Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Communication

Esther Weinbach

Esther Weinbach is majoring in advertising and sociology. As a peer mentor, Esther is "… a great listener, an honest person, and [has a sincere desire] to help [others] with [any] concerns they have [as well as] work [towards solving] any apprehensions they may be feeling …"

Quote of the Day
"… Ms. Weinbach is a diligent student who takes coursework seriously and seems to enjoy intellectual challenges. Her performance in lectures was outstanding, she often made good and well thought-out comments and was always attentive in the classroom … She is mature and has good social skills and I am guessing that these are important skills for …" a peer mentor position.
Prof. George Primov, Department of Sociology at the College of Arts and Sciences

Miles Wiley

Miles Wiley wants to be a peer mentor because he has had "… a great experience at the University of Miami [as well as] the School of Communication …" He wants to share "… what he has learned with new students [in order to ensure] that they [too] can have an equally enjoyable experience …"

Quotes of the Day
"… It has been a pleasure to work with Miles in the course of my work with Phi Delta Theta. His dedication to the Chapter and desire to always make the most out of opportunities have been great assets. I believe that he would make an excellent peer mentor because of his leadership abilities and his dedication to making everything he works on perfect …"
Fernando Gonzalez, Chapter Advisor Board, Phi Delta Theta

"… Miles has served on our leadership team and has been an active part of our ministry. Miles has taken leadership in our mission outreach to the UM campus [by being] a co-leader for the 30 Hour Famine, an outreach of World Vision …"
Rev. Marcus Zillman, II, Chaplain, UM Wesley Foundation