Sumaia has been a committed mentor with College Steps since October 2023. Sumaia is actively pursuing a degree in Health Science and plans to become a nurse. We observe that Sumaia shows up each day with a warm smile and a genuine passion for helping students succeed. Thank you, Sumaia, for always making sessions enjoyable and helping students feel at home on campus.
May 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month
Kaitlin is a junior at American International College (AIC), majoring in Education and minoring in Psychology. Kaitlin consistently provides a positive learning environment where students can socially and academically thrive. Kaitlin is compassionate and intentional with her approach, and always thinking of each individual she supports. Thank you for all your good work!
April 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month
Meet Saad Khan, our April “Mentor of the Month.” Saad has been a mentor for College Steps since March of 2024. He is currently working towards completing his associate degree in Engineering with a focus on Computer Engineering. Saad always arrives to work with a smile and does an exceptional job of supporting the students he works with. He has a great ability of connecting with others and is thoughtful and kind in all of his interactions with students. He has a great gift of connecting with students and finding meaningful ways of building them up and working together. It does not take long from working with Saad to see that he cares greatly about others and wants to help lead students to becoming the best versions of themselves. He is a wonderful resource for students, helping them homework plan, make sense of assignments, and find ways of breaking tasks into manageable steps. Saad has also helped with supporting students in utilizing resources on campus, like connecting with tutors for additional help with homework and prepping for exams. Not only has Saad done an outstanding job in his role as a mentor supporting students, but he has also gone above and beyond as the Program Support Specialist for CS at Brightpoint. In this position, Saad has contributed exceptional work supporting multiple student sessions and equipping his fellow mentors with the best strategies and resources for empowering students. Not only has Saad done an outstanding job in his role as a mentor supporting students, but he also received a promotion to be a Program Support Specialist for CS at Brightpoint. Tommy Murphy, Program Manager at Brightpoint, says, “Saad is an absolute joy to work with. His dedication to bettering the lives of our students is truly inspiring and I could not be more grateful to have him on our team!”
March 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month
Congratulate this Month’s Mentor of the Month! Camila’s dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm have made a meaningful impact on our students and the College Steps community. This semester, she has gone above and beyond by organizing our Valentine’s Day activity, creating a fun and inclusive environment for everyone. She also shared a piece of her culture by frequently bringing in Brazilian snacks, giving students and mentors a unique experience. Additionally, Camila has been an active supporter of the Anime Club, helping to foster a welcoming space where students can connect over shared interests. Her kindness, reliability, and commitment to mentorship set her apart. Camila’s ability to uplift and engage students makes her an invaluable part of our team.
February 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month
Northern Virginia Community College Partners with College Steps to Assist Area Students with Disabilities
(Prince William County VA - FEBRUARY 18, 2025) — College Steps is launching a new program for Fall 2025 at Northern Virginia Community College Manassas & Woodbridge campuses to provide support for young adults living with social, communication, or learning challenges. In a unique, individualized model, which includes peer-to-peer mentoring, College Steps support high school transition students who would benefit from the college experience prior to graduation. College Steps also supports those exiting high school and those already enrolled at the University.
College Steps’ primary goal is to prepare students for meaningful careers and autonomy after completing the program, placing a strong emphasis on self-advocacy, social competencies, employment, and independent living skills. Students work with trained peer mentors who are supported by a full-time, on-site Program Coordinator at NOVA Manassas and Woodbridge campuses.
Prospective students, families, school district personnel, and advocates interested in learning more about this exciting new initiative are invited to attend public information sessions hosted by College Steps leadership staff. Attendees will learn about specific services offered including the individualized support model, admissions process, as well as associated costs and funding opportunities.
WHAT: College Steps / NOVA Manassas & Woodbridge Virtual Information Sessions
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.; Thursday, Apr 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Virtual
REGISTER: https://collegestepsnovamw2025.eventbrite.com
*Please reach out to us at admissions@collegesteps.org to arrange an individualized meeting if
this does not meet your needs at www.collegesteps.org/calendar-main
The priority application deadline recommended for Fall 2025 enrollment with College Steps at NOVA Manassas & Woodbridge campuses is April 1st, 2025. Additional information is available at www.CollegeSteps.org/contact.
January 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month
Janelle is a first semester mentor, but it already seems like she has always been a part of the CCM family much longer. This is especially striking because Janelle actually attends Kean University, she volunteered to commute to CCM between classes to fill a mentor shortage for that program! Janelle is 100% present and invested in every shift she works. She takes the time to connect with students and form a warm trusting relationship, at the same time modeling professional boundaries and positive work habits. Janelle is quick to identify areas where students may need support and to adapt her approach to match their learning styles. She is also very generous with sharing her knowledge with fellow mentors to collaborate and provide a consistent team approach to student support. Janelle's Major is Business Management & Entrepreneurship and her career goal is "to become an entrepreneur that changes people's lives". Well, she is making a great start!
December 2024 Peer Mentor of the Month
Ahmed Saeed has been a mentor with College Steps since January 2024 and has been a wonderful contribution to the NOVA- Loudoun campus. He will be graduating after this semester with a degree in Business Administration from Northern Virginia Community College and will be attending George Mason University in the Spring to major in Business Management in Information systems. Ahmed is such a dedicated mentor and is always willing to go above and beyond for our program and students. He comes to the office early for his shifts and even hangs out with students/ other mentors when not on the clock. He always has a smile on his face and has built wonderful relationships with many students. He helps with many different subjects and is such a kind-hearted person. Ahmed is extremely creative when it comes to social sessions and is great at engaging students in any kind of game. Ahmed also works as a Math tutor on campus and uses that patience and understanding for our students. He has been a wonderful mentor helping in multiple ways. We have been deeply grateful to have Ahmed on our team and will miss him greatly next semester!
November 2024 Peer Mentor of the Month
Alberto "Berto" Bustamante is a Peer Mentor from the VTSU-Lyndon campus. Berto is friendly, engaging, and fun! He makes every interaction with students meaningful, and gives real world advice to help students grow and become their best selves. In addition to working with College Steps, Berto manages a very full schedule. He is president of the North Atlantic Student Athlete Advisory Committee (NAC SAAC), is the Lyndon SAAC president, and NCAA National SAAC Rep. Berto also interns at conferences and events and is a father to a one year old. Berto plans to go on to law school following graduation.
