In Spring 2020, I was hired as a SUMMIT Peer Advisor by Agnes Scott College’s Office of Academic Advising. I have served as SUMMIT Peer Advisor (or “SPA”, as we are called) for both the 2020-2021 and the 2021-2022 academic year, directly assisting approximately 30 first-year students (and supporting other SPAs with advising hundreds of other first-years) with their transition from high school to Agnes Scott College. In this role, I have had the privilege of serving as a mentor to my first-year students, through holding one-on-one meetings with each advisee, hosting workshops (along with other SPAs) specifically geared towards first-year students, and communicating with various entities around campus to coordinate programming on campus for advisees to attend.
Below is a photo taken during one of the workshops that I helped to host. In this workshop, I was helping first-years with understanding how to read and use their degree audit:
In addition, in both years that I have served, I have been part of the Office of Academic Advising’s newest initiative, SUM 110: Academic Foundations, a course specifically to help prepare and guide first-years toward academic success both in their first semester and throughout their time in college. Through SUM 110, I have had the privilege of serving as a teaching assistant, assisting the instructor (a SUMMIT Advisor) in classroom management, organizing coursework, and facilitating the day’s lesson, as well as providing advisees with information and advice based off my own college experience(s).
Monique worked with me as a SUMMIT Peer Advisor and she was a fabulous member of our team–her attention to detail, compassion, and creative problem solving were great assets to our students!
Dr. Jessamyn Doan Ewing, SUMMIT Advisor and Director of the SUMMIT Peer Advising Program
My time with Monique was really helpful this year! She made it much easier for me to navigate through things from my first semester, and have made me feel more confident in the upcoming spring semester!”
Sheriefa Braswell, 2021-2022 Advisee
She was really helpful when I had a question because she was really easy to get a hold of and she always had an idea of things to try to help my situation that I hadn’t thought of. If she didn’t know, she would help me contact people who might have more information and therefore be better help. I really appreciated that.”
Darshana Ropa, 2021-2022 Advisee
It was very useful having a peer tell us their own experiences at Agnes Scott and guiding us through freshman year.”
Sasha Yavari, 2021-2022 Advisee
Monique was wonderful both years. She was committed to connecting with us during the year classes were virtual, ensuring that we felt welcomed and a part of college life. This year we are finally on campus, and Monique scheduled a meeting for us to meet in person and ask her any questions we had. Monique felt like someone we could reach out to with questions and for any support we might need. I appreciate her being my peer advisor!
Ashiya Gillette, 2020-2021 Advisee
I find Monique to be very down to earth and easy to talk to.”
Chassidy Powell, 2020-2021 Advisee
Patient, Sweet, Caring, and Hardworking.”
Silmi Kanji, 2020-2021 Advisee
