Peer Student Success Team

PSST is a mentorship program designed to provide an academic and social support system for incoming first year students, transfer students, international students, and prospective students who are joining the Lee Honors College.

Their roles include:

• Facilitating one-on-one meetings with mentees during the fall and spring semesters.
• Communicating via e-mail on a weekly basis with mentees regarding honors college requirements, events, opportunities, and self-care strategies.
• Attending, coordinating, and facilitating honors college events, programs, and/or community service opportunities for mentees (in-person or online).
• Meeting with prospective honors students and/or attending honors college recruitment events.

Hello everyone! My name is Andy Kaczmar. This is my second year serving as a PSST mentor. I love working for the honors college, and I enjoy helping other students. Through the honors college, I've been able to take advantage of a lot of different opportunities that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. The Lee Honors College has done a fantastic job of supporting me in my college career. Additionally, I'm from Mattawan, Mi. I'm also a 3rd-year student studying biomedical sciences and Spanish. In the future, I'd like to pursue a career in genetic counseling. I also like to hike, read, and play soccer in my free time.

Hello! My name is Abby Ward, and I am a senior majoring in history with minors in Spanish, Latin, and medieval studies. After I graduate in the spring, I plan on pursuing a TEFL certification with the goal of teaching English in South America prior to attending graduate school. My long-term career goals have grown to be quite fluid as a result of my many experiences at WMU. I hope to eventually find myself in a teaching position in which I am able to interact with a wide range of individuals. I absolutely love meeting new people and spending time with my friends. The Lee Honors College has afforded me opportunities to do just that. I have been a mentor for a year, and in that time have become more involved in campus life than I ever thought I would be. I have met so many incredible people through my position, and I am proud to be included amongst such an exceptional team of mentors.

Hey everyone! I am a sophomore majoring in nursing. My goal is to eventually become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. I am the recruitment officer for Alpha Lambda Delta, an honors society on WMU’s campus. In my free time, I like to go to sports events at WMU, go out with friends, and visit new places. The Lee Honors College provided me with a support system during my first year at Western. I hope to be the support for others that I received in the honors college.

Hi everyone! I am a senior majoring in Anthropology and minoring in African American and African Studies. Over the summer I had the amazing opportunity of participating in WMU’s archeological field school at Fort St. Joseph in Niles, MI. It is my goal to continue doing field work at FSJ and at other archeological sites after I graduate in the spring. In my free time I enjoy crocheting, thrifting, and looking for fossils and beach glass. I’m fortunate enough to have my family here in Kalamazoo so I also often partake in family game nights. I love the Lee Honors College because of how many layers of support it provides its students. From advisors and PSST mentors to the caring professors and diverse events, the LHC sets students up for success here at WMU. The LHC has given me countless opportunities to grow and challenge myself during my four years here and I could not speak higher of it and all the wonderful staff.

I am Kailen, though you can call me Kai! I am a senior here at western, and I am majoring in sociology, and minoring in global and international studies. I enjoy learning about new things and am open to new perspectives on topics I come across. I occasionally watch anime, with my favorite being romcoms or shoujos. Maid Sama, A Silent Voice, Bleach, Princess Mononoke, and Bocchi the Rock are some of my favorite anime. I love all kinds of music, though I mainly listen to stuff from Japan. Some of my favorite bands/artists are Toru Kitajima, Yorushika, One Ok Rock, Ryo from Crystal Lake, Suisei Hoshimachi, and Kessoku Band. I play electric guitar and sing, and I dedicate most of my free time to writing, learning, or practicing music. On top of that, I have been active in 3+ choirs per semester, with them being a mix of on campus and off campus. I am a collegiate member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Delta Iota and am the historian for the Nunusaku Student Association. I am looking forward to helping others within this amazing community, while also improving myself by learning about those around me!

My name is Liv Antoniolli and I am a junior studying advertising and promotion. I love how well this program along with the Lee Honors College has equipped me with skills for my future career aspirations, and I look forward to sharing these with first-year students this year. I am actively involved on campus, especially through my executive board positions for Alpha Chi Omega and Dance Marathon. Working with children is another passion of mine, and I love my summer job as a Camp Counselor as well as working at a Pre-School off campus during the academic year. I look forward to sharing the community I have been afforded at Western with the students I will mentor this year.

I'm a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a math minor. My passion lies in mechanical design and simulation. In my free time, I enjoy sports like badminton, cricket, rock climbing, and archery. Since my freshman year, I've had the privilege of being part of Lee Honors College. It's been an incredible journey thanks to the fantastic Peer Student Success team, supportive advisors, and the wonderful community here. These experiences have not only shaped my academic path but have also instilled in me a sense of camaraderie and personal growth. Looking ahead, I'm excited about the opportunities that await, both in my academic pursuits and in the broader world beyond college.

Hello, everybody! I'm Ridha Chehime, a sophomore from Lebanon studying cybersecurity at WMU. I'm passionate about cybersecurity, and one of my career goals is to work as an ethical hacker or penetration tester. You can find me playing soccer, enjoying outdoor activities with close friends, losing myself playing video games, or watching TV shows when I'm not delving into the world of coding and cybersecurity.

I've made friends with people who share my interests during my time at the Lee Honors College. I'm thrilled to serve as a PSST mentor and assist new students in finding their place in our diverse community. Please get in touch if you have any inquiries regarding coding or cybersecurity or if you simply want to chat. Together, let's make the most of your WMU experience!