April 2026 Mentor of the Month

Ella is an exceptional Peer Mentor whose warmth and kindness consistently foster a welcoming, supportive environment for every student she works with. She has a natural ability to build meaningful, trusting relationships, allowing her to effectively engage students and meet them where they are.

Ella brings both creativity and intention to her mentoring, utilizing a wide range of tools and strategies to help students develop essential skills and grow toward independence. Her thoughtful approach ensures that each student feels supported, empowered, and capable of success.

In addition to her role as a Peer Mentor, Ella demonstrates remarkable dedication as a student-athlete on the AIC Women’s Soccer team. She balances these commitments with professionalism and grace, consistently going above and beyond in all that she does.

Ella truly embodies the values of the College Steps Program at AIC, representing it with compassion, integrity, and excellence.

March 2026 Mentor of the Month

This month we have a first person perspective on what’s it’s like to be a Peer Mentor at College Steps! March’s mentor of the month is Sabat Ali. Sabat says, I have absolutely loved being a peer mentor over this academic school year. What I love most about this position is the opportunity to connect with students and make a real difference in their college experience. It is incredibly inspiring to see a student gain confidence, find their path, and overcome obstacles with just a little encouragement or guidance.

I also value being part of such a supportive and encouraging community, where we can collaborate and build off one another’s ideas. It’s motivating to know that the time I dedicate to mentoring can have a lasting and meaningful impact on the students I work with.

The most fulfilling aspect for me is seeing a student leave a session having successfully navigated something that once felt overwhelming. Moments like that truly highlight the importance of this role.

Overall, being a peer mentor has been an amazing experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I am so grateful to have been part of this team.

February 2026 Mentor of the Month

Kim joined the Kean Mentor Team in Fall 2025, and we’re excited to welcome them back this spring as a Lead Mentor! Kim supports students with genuine respect and thoughtfulness, bringing joyful energy to every session, especially when sharing their love of travel and music. As a first-generation graduate student pursuing a M.A. in School Counseling, Kim brings valuable experience and a strong commitment to supporting diverse populations. They remain dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a mentor and beyond.

January 2026 Mentor of the Month

Brookelyn Kimball is a third-year history and secondary education major at VTSU–Castleton and is in her second year as a peer mentor. She brings compassion, patience, and creativity to her work.

Students enjoy working with Brookelyn and value her engaging, high-energy approach to coaching and skill-building.

She is passionate about helping students feel connected by introducing them to others on campus. In her free time, Brookelyn enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her dog Kylo, and coaching unified sports at a local high school.

November 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month

Haley Root is a first-year mentor at Vermont State University’s Johnson Campus whose support for students is consistently thoughtful, enthusiastic, and respectful. She meets every student with kindness and assesses how to best help them reach their goals, while always stepping up to assist—whether covering for another mentor, helping at events, or engaging in campus activities. A Biomedicine major with ambitions to become a veterinarian, Haley also serves as Student Government Treasurer, plays on the university’s soccer and basketball teams, and works as a campus lifeguard.

October 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month

Andre Rueh is pursuing an Associate Degree in Business at County College of Morris while serving in the NJ Army National Guard and taking ROTC classes. He joined the CCM mentor team in Fall 2024 and has shown constant dedication to growth and student success. Recently promoted to Lead Mentor, his positive energy and humor make him a joy to work with. We’re grateful to have him on the team!

September 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month

Kazi led an outreach initiative to recruit international students as mentors for the Fall semester. At an NVCC campus event, he enthusiastically promoted College Steps to everyone he met. Beyond recruitment, he consistently goes above and beyond in supporting his students. His efforts have engaged students and fostered a strong sense of community among both students and mentors.

June 2025 Peer Mentor of the Month

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!