RSU Peer Mentors include Justin Rogers (front, from left), Arissa Miller, and Shannon Fair; Baron Buster (back, from left), Amina Saleh, and Mariah Nadeau.
Since its inception in the fall 2023 semester, the RSU Peer to Peer Mentoring program has more than doubled the number of Master of Science in Community Counseling (MSCC) graduate students offering mentorship and counseling services.
Peer mentoring, also referred to as peer-to-peer mentoring, is a form of guidance between someone with specific lived experience and someone new or unfamiliar to that experience, offering insight, support and counseling.
“Our mentors draw from their own experiences to help others navigate similar situations, offering insights and encouragement to foster personal and professional growth,” said MSCC Program Director Dr. Michelle Taylor. “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.”
Current peer mentors include RSU master’s degree students Shannon Fair, Amina Saleh, Mariah Nadeua, Justin Rogers, Arissa Miller, and Baron Buster, each of whom comes to the program with a diverse and specialized background.
Shannon Fair has a background in trauma-responsive care, holistic wellness, and community-based support. 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 Shannon’s dedication to mentoring LGBTQ+ individuals and creating a safe, supportive environment where all individuals can thrive.
Justin Rogers has extensive experience in providing services and support for RSU students, having worked with 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. He has served as vice president and president of the RSU chapter of Psi Chi International Society, and his mentoring style is one of empathy and empowerment, with the goal for each of his mentees to feel heard and supported.
Arissa Miller brings empowerment, empathy and inclusivity, specializing in student-athlete counseling. She has experience as an athlete and a 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 because not only does an athlete have to physically perform, but mentally perform to achieve good grades,” Miller said. “I understand that stress and have a passion for supporting college athletes through those stressful overwhelming experiences. My peer mentoring is dedicated to counseling student-athletes at any level, from freshman to seniors, to athletes who are injured, or just any RSU student who would like to experience a narrative and mindful approach to mental health counseling.”
Amina Saleh is an international student from Lebanon and dedicated healthcare professional who holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and has managed and owned a pharmacy. Her passion for helping others isn’t 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.
“As an international student, I support, advocate for, and help students from diverse cultural backgrounds, reflected in my role in the peer mentoring program,” she said. “I provide guidance and assistance to help them navigate their educational journey and adapt to new environments.”
Mariah Nadeau 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.
Nowata native Baron Buster has earned his bachelor’s degree in community counseling and is currently in the MSCC program. When he was 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.
According to Dr. Taylor, increased student confidence, skill development, career advancement, and networking, along with new perspectives, are some of the evidence-based benefits from peer mentoring programs.
MSCC program volunteers offer RSU students help with anxiety, psychoeducation, coping skills, career guidance, personal development and more.
Peer mentoring services are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends, based upon volunteer availability. Mentoring services are held in Baird Hall, room 201 (upstairs and at the end of the hall).
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a mentor, email [email protected] or visit www.rsu.edu/P2P.
For more information about Rogers State University’s MSCC program, visit www.rsu.edu/mscc.