Students who are positively influenced by their peers will engage in new activities and make healthier choices.
RSU students have the opportunity to be mentored by students in the ย Master of Science in community counseling program, to help them through various challenges they are facing both in their personal and academic lives. These peer mentors are trained and supervised to assist their mentees in achieving their goals, with academic support, career guidance, social and personal support from managing stress, dealing with family or relationship problems, and acting as valuable resources for those seeking direction.
Peer to Peer (P2P) Mentors

Baron earned his bachelorโs degree in community counseling from RSU and is currently in the MSCC program.
As an undergraduate, he was part of the Honors Program and a member of several clubs, such as the Student Writing Organization and NEDA Campus Warriors.
Baronโs focus is in research field, exploring methods for treating addiction and other areas of counseling.

Shannon has a background in trauma-responsive care, holistic wellness, and community-based support.
Shannon is dedicated to empowering individuals through education, empathy, and personal connection.
With a deep commitment to supporting marginalized and oppressed communities, Shannon brings a unique perspective shaped by personal experiences as a queer, non-binary individual who has overcome significant challenges, including homelessness and trauma. This lived experience fuels Shannonโs dedication to mentoring LGBTQ+ individuals and creating a safe, supportive environment where all individuals can thrive.
As a community-based doula and an ambulatory wheelchair user, Shannon offers a holistic approach that is inclusive, accessible, and grounded in cultural humility. Shannon emphasizes the importance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, recognizing that stress and trauma can be addressed at a deeper level through somatic practices.
Shannonโs journey is marked by resilience, ongoing learning, and a steadfast belief in the power of support to transform lives. Whether guiding individuals through the challenges of birth, recovery, or life transitions, Shannonโs commitment to being a compassionate and knowledgeable mentor who listens without judgement and helps others navigate their paths with confidence and hope.

Arissa brings empowerment, compassion, empathy, and inclusivity as a peer mentor for Rogers State University.
Arissa specializes in student-athlete counseling and has experience as an athlete and coach giving her the ability to understand the pressure of performing while also possessing the skills to motivate athletes to be the best possible version of themselves.
Being a student-athlete is stressful. Not only does an athlete have to physically perform but they also have to mentally perform to achieve good grades that make them eligible to play their desired sport. Student-athletes have all the same stressors as normal college students, with the added expectation of coaches. Arissa understands the stress and has a passion for supporting college athletes through those stressful overwhelming experiences.
Arissa takes a narrative and mindfulness approach to counseling that will give you the skills to be mindful, cope with stress, and achieve the mental toughness it takes to be a highly competitive student-athlete.
With this counseling, you will learn coping skills, and interventions, and ultimately develop a deeper sense of self. Her peer mentoring program will be dedicated to counseling student-athletes who are at any level in their career from new freshman athletes to senior athletes ready to graduate, to athletes who have been injured, or just any Rogers State University student who would like to experience a narrative and mindfulness approach to mental health counseling.

Mariah is a mentor who supports anyone who needs help, making a difference in the world one person at a time.
Her passion is to help people be grounded in the understanding that the environment around them correlates to how the individuals interpret their world and feelings.
She is especially fond of narrative-based and family systems. Putting meaning and emphasis on significant life events and understanding where a person comes from directly impact what they may need in their lives.
She is ready to meet mentees where they are and travel the road with them.

Justin has extensive experience in providing services and support for RSU students.
Justinโs understanding of the pressures of excelling at extremely high levels, such as those faced within the nursing program or those experienced by a non-traditional student, ensures that he can mentor any student at any age, regardless of what they are experiencing. He is a peer mentor anyone would feel comfortable visiting. His warm smile and approachable nature make him not just a mentor but a friend, further enhancing the welcoming environment he creates.
Justin worked at the RSU Writing Center as a Writing Consultant for three years, assisting all students, especially International and Nursing students, in editing and improving their assignments. While at the Writing Center, he worked tirelessly to empower students as they struggled with course loads displaying empathy and providing emotional support and stability for those students. Justinโs extensive experience in creating a compassionate, caring, and considerate environment for those who came to the Writing Center ensures that mentees can expect the same caring, uplifting, and supportive atmosphere in every visit.
Justin has served as Vice President and President of the RSU chapter of Psi Chi International Honor Society. In these roles, he worked alongside faculty advisors to create a welcoming environment, support students, and engage with the RSU and surrounding communities.
Justinโs mentoring style is full of empathy and empowerment. Each visit will leave the student feeling heard and supported. He is dedicated to understanding and validating studentsโ fears and concerns, providing them with a safe space to feel heard, understood, and empowered. Justin will go out of his way to help any student on campus.

Amina is an international student from Lebanon and dedicated healthcare professional who holds a bachelorโs degree in pharmacy and has managed and owned a pharmacy.
Her passion for helping others isnโt just limited to her work as a pharmacist, but she also assists students as a private tutor, where she honed her skills in educating and mentoring students, helping them excel in their academic pursuits.
โAs an international student, I support, advocate for, and help students from diverse cultural backgrounds, reflected in my role in the peer mentoring program,โ she said. โI provide guidance and assistance to help them navigate their educational journey and adapt to new environments.โ
Appointments & Availability
Schedule an appointment with a mentor by email:ย [email protected]
Mentoring services are held in Baird Hall, room 201 (upstairs and at the end of the hall). Peer mentoring services are available:
- Monday โ Friday: 9 a.m. โ 4 p.m.ย
- Weekends based upon volunteer availability.
About the P2P Program
Rogers State Universityโs Peer-to-Peer Mentoring (P2P) program is designed to mobilize students to become agents of change for mental health and well-being on campus and beyond.
The MSCC Program created the P2P model to be an effective approach to shifting social norms that encourage positive health behaviors. We believe peers strongly influence the decisions and health behaviors of other students.
Increased student confidence, skill development, career advancement, and networking, along with new perspectives, are some of the evidence-based benefits from peer mentoring programs.
Generally young adults are more likely to seek help from their friends versus a health care provider initially, thatโs why implementing the P2P program at RSU is an effective practice for all students and serves as an integral part of the MSCC Counselors-In-Training practicum coursework.
Goals of the P2P Program
Our goal is to expand the studentโs network of individuals to provide support and intervene when needed, to create a system of modeling positive health behaviors promoting mindfulness and self-care which allows for avenues of mental health support for themselves and their fellow students.
- Reduce stigma and other barriers associated for seeking help when in emotional distress.
- Increase awareness of self-care for mental health and well-being.
- Increase awareness of services available and help-seeking behaviors.
- Create a culture of support for student well-being.
- Using shared experiences to offer help to friends or peers dealing with mental health conditions.