Cheers erupted at a recent training event at Texas Motor Speedway as Tarrant County College peer student leaders across the District broke down a wall comprised of challenging “bricks” (boxes), representing possible impediments to student success. The bricks included many life challenges, some of which the student leaders had overcome – access, disabilities, family expectations, financial issues, language barriers and work/life balance. After the students presented the bricks/challenges, they shared their own success stories, then broke through the bricks, to demonstrate that challenges can be overcome. “Hearing others share their experiences was very valuable,” said SE Campus Peer Leader Jarrad Carter.
The training prepared 85 students to facilitate sessions for more than 8,350 First Time in College (FTIC) students during the Shift into Gear New Student Orientation (NSO) for Fall 2014. In addition to the Breaking Down the Wall exercise, the training included sessions that addressed common scenarios during NSO and how to present to a large group, as well as critical thinking about student issues while attending college.
An Achieving the Dream initiative, NSO is designed to welcome FTIC students. NSO is a four-hour session that prepares new students for success by learning about TCC, campus safety, seminars, student organizations, campus activities, code of conduct, school/life balance and setting goals. “Since each campus provides training based on specific campus needs, it is beneficial for the students to come together and share perspectives from across the District,” said Student Success Initiatives Director James Ramirez.
“Peer leaders are one of the first introductions to college a student has in New Student Orientation, “said Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Success Kimberly Beatty. “The peer leaders and faculty who conduct NSO sessions contribute greatly to the onboarding process for our new students.”
To become a peer leader, students face a challenging interview process. Their personal character and experiences on- and off-campus also are key factors in being selected. Many are involved in other TCC clubs and organizations. SE Campus Peer Leader Priscilla Ukhuakhua says her involvement in the Student Leadership Academy, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association and The Democracy Commitment has proven beneficial. “I have learned skills that I could not have learned in the classroom such as fellowship, leadership and service and being able to care for the students, faculty and staff around me.”
Stephanie Vielle appreciates being a peer leader at the Northeast Campus because of the opportunity to help others. “At the peer leader training when the students introduced themselves, I found that everyone had a common goal of helping people in their own way. Many are motivated by the difficulties they struggled with when they first started out.” Vielle facilitated seven classes during NSO with 30 to 45 students per class.
“I’ve learned a lot about different cultures and things that motivate people to educate them to better their lives,” said Robert Cantrell, a peer leader at the Northwest Campus, whose favorite part of the training was meeting new friends. “It is amazing the walks of life we all come from.”
Peer Leader Training Event Photos
