Peer Mentors are student leaders who are teamed up with a faculty member and a student affairs professional to co-instruct a section of University Studies 100.  The Peer Mentor plays an active role in class discussions, collaborates with instructional team members, and meets with individual students to serve as an academic role model.

Peer Mentors are here to support YOU!  You are encouraged to seek their guidance as you make your transition to college.  They are looking forward to assisting you in becoming familiar with the campus both in and out of the classroom.  Your Peer Mentors want you to be successful in all your collegiate endeavors!  Studies show that students who have a peer mentor in the classroom are more likely to attend class, participate in class, and achieve a higher G.P.A.  (Golden & McMorris).  Connect with your Peer Mentor today!!
     Golden & McMorris (2001).  Student Assisted Teaching, Anker Publishing Co, Bolton, Massachusetts, pp140-144.

Fall 2007 Peer Mentors

Christian Brown

I am a junior at Cal State Fullerton currently majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Print Journalism while also seeking a minor in Political Science. I chose to attend Cal State Fullerton after visiting the campus and encountering faculty and staff members who were caring and accommodating. Once accepted to the university, I joined Freshman Programs. The academic-oriented program helped me make a smooth transition from high school to college and started me on my way towards graduating in four years. Shortly after joining the program, I was appointed to be Co-President of Freshman Programs Student Association (F.P.S.A.), giving me valuable leadership experience at a first-time freshman level.   In Fall 2005, I graduated from Freshman Programs leaving with valuable knowledge and information that allowed me to be on the Dean’s List every semester thus far in my academic career. As a result of the knowledge I received from Freshman Programs, I was able to become a Titan Ambassador in Spring 2006 and an ASI Elections Assistant in Fall 2006. Now I give campus tours to both prospective students and special groups from around the country as well as assist during elections at campus-wide voting booths.

Jessicka Sapien

Hi! My name is Jessicka Sapien and I am a transfer student from Cerritos College where I received my Associates Degree in 2006. This is my second year at Cal State Fullerton and I am a senior. My major is American Studies and I plan to receive my Bachelors degree in the spring of 2008, then go on to the single-subject teacher credential program. My career goals include becoming a high school history teacher and eventually an academic counselor. When I am not busy with school, I spend my time being a mom and wife. I have a 2-year old son named Addam Wesley and I just married my boyfriend of 9 years. My other interests are reading, writing, sewing (especially costumes) and finding awesome Star Wars collectibles with my husband.

Helen Musharbash

Hi! My name is Helen Musharbash, and I am currently a junior here at CSUF majoring in biology.  So far my experiences as a college student have been great! However, through out my college life I have always wanted to be a part of something on campus besides just being a student at Cal State Fullerton. Although it took me a while to find out what I really wanted to do here, I finally found something that I knew a lot about and enjoyed being a part of when I first came on campus. Freshman Programs! Helping students adjust to their first year of college is one great accomplishment to achieve, because I hope to not only create a wonderful experience to the students as freshman, but to also have them carry it one with them through the rest of their journey as a Titan. Besides deciding to become a peer mentor, I am also an intern/volunteer at Hoag Hospital and I have also just started to conduct scientific research here on campus.  So I do have a quite a bit of knowledge of how to get involved on and off campus and to also make your college years more worth while.

Jessica Van Hoven

My name is Jessica Van Hoven and I am so excited to be a Peer Mentor this semester.  I recently graduated from Cal State Fullerton in May with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies and minors in Business Administration and Political Science.  Even though I just graduated I am still here at CSUF finishing up some classes so that I can apply to the teaching credential program that starts in the spring.  After I get my credential I hope to teach history at a junior high or high school.  When I have free time I love to go to Disneyland, read books, scrapbook or hang out by the pool with my boyfriend.  I hope that you all have a great first semester at forward and I look forward to meeting all of you!!

Kevin Matsushima

Hello there. My name is Kevin Matsushima. This year begins my third year at Cal State Fullerton, majoring in business with a concentration in management. I hail from Alta Loma, California and my interests include writing, drawing, television, swing dancing, and Superman. Now that you know a little about me, welcome to Cal State Fullerton and welcome to Freshman Programs! As a Freshman Programs alumni; Fullerton First Year to be specific, I wanted to be a peer mentor so that I could help out incoming freshmen like you just as my peer mentor helped me. I am a firm believer that if you start off on the right foot, you will finish with success. Freshman Programs put me on the right foot, and as a peer mentor, I’m going to do my darndest to make sure you’re on that foot as well. Freshman Programs was a very helpful and enjoyable experience for me, as I’m sure it will be for you. So enjoy your semester, your year, and your whole stay at Cal State Fullerton!

Kimberly Rogge

Welcome to Cal State Fullerton!  My name is Kimberly Rogge.  I am originally from Minnesota, and came to California to pursue college and later a career.  I am a senior, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology.  After graduation, I plan on attending graduate school where I will be working toward obtaining my PhD in Sociology.  My career aspirations are to become a college professor in Southern California.  I am very involved in our student government, Associated Students Inc. (ASI), and currently serve on three Academic Senate committees.  Outside of my academic work, I enjoy watching sports, cooking, boating, and going to the movies. I look forward to being a Peer Mentor so I can aid first-time freshmen by providing them with valuable tools and resources to help create a smooth and successful transition into their first year of college.  One of my goals is to introduce them to the great campus resources that are available, with the hope that they will utilize these resources to help make their college experience more enjoyable and successful!  I hope my presence and participation as a Peer Mentor and in the University 100 class will increase the academic and personal growth of first-time freshmen as they begin their academic endeavors. 

Lauren Nguyen

“Atrás de mim virás quem de bom fará”. (Anonymous Portuguese Saying). Roughly translated, this proverb basically says that my success will prominently illuminate in those lives that I have touched. This proverb is just basically what my ideals and goals are as I step into my first year as a peer mentor. What I want to leave you guys is not only the tools to get through college successfully, but also the courage to one day mentor others! So a little more about me in general; my name is Lauren Rose Nguyen; this will be my third year at wonderful CSUF! As you guys might have guessed from the beginning, my major is Linguistics (for those who don’t know what that is, it’s the study of language; but more in depth on all the languages in the world) and a minor in Portuguese. My ultimate goal with this is to become an interpreter for the UN. So with my passion for language, comes my passion for culture, the earth and serenity in general. I’m always up for trying new food, going to many cultural events and travelling to new lands, when time/finance allows. My serenity comes with trying to always connect with people, even if this means taking the big step to break the ice! So, knowing all this, don’t hesitate to come to me if you need any help with any sort of problems, or if you have a simple question! I can’t wait to get to know every single one of you, and hopefully make lasting bonds.

Marissa Willman

My name is Marissa Willman and I am a junior.  I am a Communications major with an emphasis in Print Journalism.  My minors are Sociology and Political Science.  I was born and raised in Washington State but lived in the Palm Springs area for the past seven years.  I am also going on my third year living in the on-campus residence halls.  I’ve worked a lot of odd jobs (mostly retail) over the years but will hopefully get a start on my writing career this year. This is my first year being involved with Freshman Programs and I am very excited to be a Peer Mentor!  I am so excited to get to know all of my students and help them get used to a college environment.  I am already enjoying this experience and know that it is going to be an exciting semester for the mentors, mentees and faculty involved. Good luck to the incoming freshman class of 2007!

Trevor Knight

Hello, my name is Trevor Knight, and I am a junior at CSUF majoring in Criminal Justice. I am an Orange County native – born in Huntington Beach and grew up in Anaheim – living close to Cal State Fullerton my entire life. I graduated from Troy High School, just down the street from CSUF, so I also know good food places and hangouts to relax and relieve stress from school. I work on campus as a Student Assistant, and when I’m not spending most of my time on campus, I enjoy swimming, kayaking, swing dancing, paintball, and spending time with friends (especially when we get sushi!) and family. I began as a student in Freshman Programs two years ago, and thanks to the inspiration of my instructors and Peer Mentor, I realized that I wanted to become a Peer Mentor and support the new freshmen entering Freshman Programs. I am looking forward to making this a fun, enjoyable, and memorable year for all of the students I will be mentoring, and I hope that the transition to the University setting will be a smooth one for all. Go Titans and congratulations to CSUF on its 50th Anniversary!

Brittany Conrad

Hi friends! My name is Brittany and I’m a third year at Cal State Fullerton. My major is Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism, and my minor is in Political Science with a focus on International Relations. I enjoy spending my free time at the gym, playing volleyball, cooking, shopping, and generally being outdoors. It feels like I spend most of my time studying and working at one of my two jobs, one of which is at Titan Bowl & Billiards, so stop by and visit sometime! I am excited to get to know all of you. College was a big transition for me, which is why I’m glad to be a resource available to you as a Peer Mentor. I love to laugh, talk, and meet new people so if you have any questions feel free to ask, and don’t be afraid to say hi if you see me around campus!

Emily Ware

My name is Emily Ware and this is my third year at Cal State Fullerton. My major is in Psychology and my minor is Fine Art. My hobbies are Photography, movies, and being involved in school. During my time at this school I have been a Resident Advisor and a member of Resident Student Association at the Resident Halls. I still remember my first day at Cal State Fullerton, I was so nervous because I knew this school had 30,000 students. I thought if I get lost and can’t find a class, who will help me? Sure enough I couldn’t find my second class of the day. I started to panic and finally got the courage to ask an older looking student, someone who looked as if they knew where they were going. The girl showed me where the building was and even made me a route on my map of where my other classes were. My first year here the other freshmen I knew told me how nice and welcoming everyone was on campus. I tell freshmen this story because I hope that everyone has that great experience of feeling welcome on campus. At Cal State Fullerton it doesn’t matter if you are a first year or a fifth year, everyone welcomes each other and helps one another. This school welcomes diversity and student’s beliefs and views. So if you see something you’re interested in, get involved even if it is your first year. I hope everyone has a great year, and don’t be afraid to ask a question, you just might make a new friend.

Interested in Becoming a Freshman Programs PEER MENTOR? Click here for the application.  Contact Annabelle Cariaga at acariaga@fullerton.edu or 714-278-5587 if you have any questions.