Peer Educator of the Year

Chloe Coenen

Programs: Violence Against Women Prevention Program, UConn Connects

Since three semesters ago when Chloe was my mentor, I have kept a relationship with her. She is very approachable even when class time is over. In the past, whenever I've had a peer mentor for something like entering high school or orientation to college, I've lost my relationship with my mentor as soon as that event ended. When I saw them on the street, they may have acknowledged me, but would not generate a conversation. With Chloe, she'll chat with me and asks for updates with any problems I had been having; if I had talked to her about a roommate problem or difficulty in a class, she'll still care about how I'm doing. - Peer Andrea Anton

Chloe is an amazing individual with a tremendous amount of compassion for others. Chloe is a dedicated student, peer, and friend. Chloe not only goes above and beyond to achieve her academic goals but also goes far beyond the average student to take advantage of the opportunities UCONN has to offer. By being involved in peer educational programs Chloe is not only able to further develop as a leader but has been able to devote her time and energy working with other students to ensure they are aware of important issues on campus as well as ensure students transition to UCONN and have a good experience as a student. As an FYE mentor Chloe not only helped me prepare for class but she was able to relate to students in a way where they felt comfortable confiding in her and truly trusted and valued her opinion. Chloe challenged and was able to communicate to her with students in our class the importance of being open minded about to differences as well as challenged students to get involved with something that would truly make a difference to other students and the community. - Emily Comstock, UConn Connects Peer Education Program Director

Jason Corbo

Programs: Honors Seminar Facilitator

Jason has been an integral part to my transition from high school to college. Having met him in my INTD 198 class, he was always open to answer all the questions that I have had regarding college life and academics. Socially, Jason is very easy going and is never too strict or harsh as the facilitator of the group. In this way, he has shown me how to be flexible, especially towards the 'not so easy-going' students. He thinks the freshmen are among friends, not subordinates, which always makes it easier for us to be able to communicate with him. - Peer Harris Sultan

Jason is an excellent example of a peer educator. He is currently co-teaching my course training the new class of Honors facilitators, and he is a wonderful leader of his peer co-teachers as well as his peers in the class who hope to be facilitators next year. Jason is quick to suggest ideas and topics for class discussion, and he is always focused on providing the future facilitators with the knowledge that they need to be excellent role models and teachers next year. He is energetic, patient, and always willing to go beyond the call of duty. Jason's relationships with his students are wonderful. He has their respect and he is still seen as a friend. They know they can turn to him for any question. We recently mixed the student teachers up with different groups in class, and his students were sad that they wouldn't get to work with him for one night of class. It was a true testament to the connections he has with his students. - Dr. Jennifer Lease Butts, Honors Seminar Facilitator Peer Education Program Director

Kevin Lenhart

Programs: SSS Peer Educators

Since I have met Kevin, he has affected my life in a major way. Working with him on my community assistant staff was a true blessing. He has given me a vast amount of information regarding events and opportunities on campus. I have seen his involvement on campus, and it has inspired me to become more involved. If I ever have a problem or a question about things on campus, I immediately call Kevin. I have personally used many of Kevin's programming ideas for my residents. I have been very impressed by the way he reaches out to students, and I can only hope to reach his level of rapport with others. He has made me a much better community assistant, and provided me with tools to become more involved on campus. I am truly proud to have met him, and I consider Kevin to be one of my best friends. -Peer Michael Schaff

Kevin has served as an SSS Peer Advisor for three years and has distinguished himself through his deep and sustained commitment to his advisees. Kevin has the ability to motivate and inspire his advisees toward academic success as well as campus involvement by example. Kevin is an outstanding student in the School of Business and serves the university in a variety of roles. He is a CA, SUBOG President, and active in leadership roles in the School of Business. Kevin, therefore, mentors his group of first year students through highly effective advising and counseling, while grooming them for leadership roles on campus as well. Kevin's goal as a UConn student is to make the most of his college years; he consistently demonstrates true Husky Spirit in all he commits to. Kevin inspires his advisees to do the same. - Marie McCain, SSS Peer Educators Program Director

Galina Portnoy

Programs: Peer Helpers

Galina is set apart from others by her genuine care and concern for everyone she meets and for her open mind in dealing with people. She is the most unbiased person I know and I've never seen someone work harder to help people then she has.   Galina and I are in an extracurricular organization together and I have never witnessed more people approach a single individual for advice and help with problems that are very serious and often extremely difficult to talk about. They approach her because they know that she wants to help, that she has the resources to do so, and that loves doing it. I know that Galina loves doing whatever she can to help someone in their time of need. She is set apart by the aura that she brings into a room when she enters because people know that she is someone that they do not have to hold anything back from because she will help in an unbiased, trusting, sincere way. - Peer Meghan Iannucci

Galina has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to the value and worth of Peer Education here at UConn. Her contributions to and involvement in the Peer Helpers class are exemplary. Galina is very involved with the planning of the course.

During our weekend of training, Galina created and facilitated effective and fun ice breakers to build community among class. She also put forth a tremendous amount of effort to ensure that students in the class are comfortable enough with themselves to begin to provide assistance to their peers or connect them to valuable campus resources. Galina is a caring Peer Educator who is genuinely interested in the success of each student with whom she works. - Dr. JoAnne Lewis, Peer Helpers Peer Education Program Director