SSE Peer Advisors are here to help you navigate tools and strategies for success. They can support you by sharing personal success strategies, academic success strategies, major and degree planning, course registration and more.
If you would like to meet with one of our amazing Peer Advisors please feel free to schedule with them directly by clicking on their bio. GOALS and Compass Program students should schedule with their appropriate program peer advisor.
Major: Musical Theatre & Criminal Justice
Class: Senior
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Hobbies: Singing, acting, painting, crafting, hiking, reading books, and watching movies
Involvement: Mesa Thespian and Tech Society President, Mesa Out Loud, Criminal Justice Honor Society, and I am a part of the CMU Theatre Department, and tend to be in most of the shows on campus!
Quote: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe
Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is I have red hair and blue eyes which means I am apart of less than one percent of the world’s population, about 0.17%.
Learning Strategy: My study strategy is to go in with a full planner at first. I like to write down all of my due dates for the semester from my syllabus. Once that is done, I start working on things that are due in a week and due in the next week as well. This allows me to get things done in advance so that if something happens in life, I have a little leeway. When it comes to studying for a test or quiz, I use good old note cards and quizlet. It makes me repeat things by writing or typing, and that is the first steps to studying.
Why I chose CMU: Being a student at CMU has allowed me to stay close alongside my family, has great scholarship opportunities, and be able to grow in my hometown while going to college.
Major: Criminal Justice
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Hobbies: Spending time with friends & family, cooking, reading, painting.
Quote: " When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" - Albert Einstein
Fun Fact: I enjoy cooking, school, and spending time with friends and family.
Learning Strategy: Figure out what works for you and run with it. I personally color code every class and with the colors I take notes.
Schedule a Meeting with Olivia
SSE & GOALS
Major: Mass Communications
Class: Senior
Hometown: Frederick, Colorado
Hobbies: Baseball, tennis, making homemade jam, watching movies, donuts, writing, and writing about donuts
Involvement: Men’s ministry leader at Mesa Catholic Campus Ministry, President of Club Tennis, volleyball and spikeball intramurals
Quote: If you love only those who love you back, what reward is there in that?
Fun Fact: I make the best homemade jam on this side of the mountains
Learning Strategy: Always motivate yourself with incentives—food, fun, drinks, anything
Major: Political Science
Class: Senior
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Hobbies: Weightlifting and biking as well as anything outside. I also enjoy lots of reading, casual gardening, cooking, baking, and yoga.
Involvement: ASG (Student Government), Sexual Assault Prevention club, NAMI, Sustainability Council, and I also coach football at Fruita Monument
Quote: “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”- Malcolm X
Fun Fact: Within a two-week time span I had my first surgery, got into my first car wreck, and started my first year of college. Needless to say it was a hectic time.
Learning Strategy: While it is great to eliminate distractions, don’t be afraid to create breaks filled with activity or other mindful techniques. Studying for 30 minutes then walking or drawing or other such activities really does help refocus the mind and retain information.
Why I chose CMU: I chose CMU because it offered me many things that I did not see available at other colleges. I could have smaller class sizes, specialized assistance throughout my journey here, and they really have fantastic and unique opportunities for my major.
Major: Criminal Justice
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Hobbies: Drawing/coloring, paddleboarding, and hammocking.
Quote: "I am ready to face any challenge that is foolish enough to face me" -Dwight K. Schrute
Fun Fact: I love to be outside, especially doing things like paddle boarding, hiking, and hammocking. I also really love watching Netflix shows, so feel free to give movie/TV show recommendations.
Learning Strategy: Write down everything you need to do for the week and cross it off as you complete it. Whether that be small things like discussion posts or doing laundry, or big things like upcoming exams, it is an excellent way of staying organized and feeling accomplished.
Major: Double major in Psychology and Aviation Technology
Class: Senior
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Hobbies: Video games, Tennis, Camping, Hanging out with friends
Involvement: Resident Assistant in Grand Mesa Hall, IRIS Solutions Specialist, and NAMI Treasurer
Quote: “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
Fun Fact: I won the first state tennis match at Lakewood High School, the high school I went too, since 1976.
Learning Strategy: Study with other people as long as everyone is focused and on task.
Major: Counseling Psychology
Class: Junior
Hometown: Castle Rock, CO
Hobbies: Photography, Hiking, Listening to music, Hanging out with friends, Off roading, Traveling
Involvement: Downtown Vineyard Thrive and Young Life
Quote: “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” -Walt Disney
Fun Fact: I am so terrified of spiders, it’s not even funny.
Learning Strategy: Stay on top of things, because when you get it done sooner, the more time you’ll have to work on it. And flashcards are one of the best ways to retain information and test your memory!
Why I chose CMU: I chose CMU because it was the best fit for my academics and I felt like I could succeed here. The GOALS Program really opened my eyes to know how much I can accomplish and I learned what to do when I feel frustrated or overwhelmed. I also enjoyed how close Grand Junction is to my hometown, the perfect amount of distance.
Major: Elementary Education
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Montrose, CO
Hobbies: Watching movies, reading and writing
Quote: “Be happy with what you have while working for what you want” - Hellen Keller
Fun Fact: One thing on my bucket list is to travel to Japan with my dad because he has been talking about going all my life.
Learning Strategy: Figure out what works for you when planning to study. I personally need to have a colorful and organized planner to succeed. I also study with a friend who understands the subject and makes it interesting.
Schedule a Meeting with Sam
SSE & GOALS
Major: Social Work
Class: Junior
Hometown: Kauai, Hawaii
Hobbies: Going to the beach and spending quality time with friends and family
Involvement: Link Caller- Alumni Association, Social Work Club, Ho’olokahi Polynesian Club, and
Trio Participant
Quote: In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take.
Fun Fact: I can wiggle my ears.
Learning Strategy: Quizlet Flash Cards
Why I chose CMU: I chose CMU because I wanted the atmosphere of smaller class sizes. CMU has proven to give me the comfort of having my home away from home.
Major: Pre-Nursing
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Lakewood, CO
Hobbies: My hobbies include traveling whenever I get the chance, going to the gym, and trying new coffee shops!
Involvement: I am a Peer Advisor for GOALS, I work for the universities Alumni Association, I’m apart of the SNA club, and I volunteer for Hope-West’s hospice & palliative care center.
Quote: “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.” -Eric Thomas
Fun Fact: My favorite place to be is on a beach in California with friends and family!
Learning Strategy: If procrastination is getting the best of you, try planning/writing down very specific times in your planner when you are going to do what you need to do. Also, try spreading your studying out over a week or so if you know you have exams, papers, or projects due.
Schedule a Meeting with Jaqueline
SSE & GOALS
Major: Political Science
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois
Hobbies: I enjoy reading books or going out to take pictures when I am not busy with school or hanging out with friends.
Involvement: I am the At-Large student senator for ASG meaning I represent all students with undeclared majors. I am also an RA in Rait hall this semester!
Quote: “You belong where you’re loved” - Cassandra Clare
Fun Fact: My favorite color is yellow and my friends joke that it’s a borderline obsession now.
Learning Strategy: Start with the task or subject you least look forward to and end with the task or subject you most look forward to. The time ends up going by faster when you have something to look forward to!
Major: Environmental Science
Class: Senior
Hometown: Frederick, Colorado
Hobbies: Hiking, fitness, and quality time with my friends and family
Involvement: Babysitting both in Grand Junction and at home
Quote: “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything.” -Albert Einstein
Fun Fact: I’ve watched The Office 5 times completely through.
Learning Strategy: What works for others may not always work for you. Stay dedicated to find the best times and habits that make your college career successful!
Major: English with an emphasis in Secondary Education
Class: Senior
Hometown: Longmont, Colorado
Hobbies: I love reading, watching movies, and hanging out at the lake!
Involvement: Ambassador Manager in Admissions Office and I also volunteer around the community
Quote: “You should shine with all of your light all the time.” - Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain
Fun Fact: I played rugby for CMU
Learning Strategy: I always find that explaining or teaching content to peers and classmates, is one of the best ways to study and better understand material.
Why I chose CMU: I chose CMU because I heard only great things about the university and loved that it was close but far enough away from home.
Major: Psychology
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Arvada, Colorado
Hobbies: Shopping, going to eat, watching movies, and playing with my cat!
Quote: "You are absolutely capable of creating a life you can't stop thinking about. Stop living in your head. It's time to make your dreams happen."
Fun Fact: I collect shoes!
Learning Strategy: Once you get your syllabus make a list in a Word document of everything that will be due in every class and use that word document to go back and highlight assignments you have done. One you get to the end of the list it is very rewarding! It's a great way to remember due dates and stay on track with your classes!
Why I chose CMU: I chose CMU because it was the best fitting for my academic level and felt that they could really help me succeed in all aspects of my life.
Major: Business Marketing
Class: Senior
Hometown: Lakewood, Colorado
Hobbies: Trying new restaurants, being with friends and being outdoors
Involvement: I am the GOALS Program Lead Peer advisor. I have been a peer advisor 3 years and entering my 4th year.
Fun Fact: I enjoy being with my friends and being outside when it is warm!
Learning Strategy: My study strategy is to have a reset day on Sunday’s, plan out your week with assignments, appointments, classes, etc. I think starting off the week with a plan and checklist will help you navigate better through your week and tasks. I also tend to give myself three hours a day of pure focus to my school work at a time that works for me to tend to all my needs.
Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Class: Senior
Hometown: Montrose, Colorado
Hobbies: Puzzles, listening to music, programing.
Involvement: Tutor at the TLC, Latino Student Alliance
Quote: “You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you're finished, you'll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird... So let's look at the bird and see what it's doing — that's what counts. I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.” — Richard P. Feynman
Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Mexico and I’ve been in the United States for five years.
Learning Strategy: Work in groups. Looking at problems with different perspectives is the best way to develop problem solving techniques.
Major: Psychology
Class: Senior
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Hobbies: Playing volleyball and baking!
Involvement: I am a Student Ambassador as well as doing my Practicum through SSE!
Fun Fact: I have lived in Colorado my whole life but have never been skiing or snowboarding- warm weather is more of my style!
Learning Strategy: I create one planner that has all of my due dates for classes as well as exams. I have another planner for my job and extracurricular activities.
Major: Nursing
Class: Junior
Hometown: Lakewood, CO
Hobbies: I like singing, going on walks, and doing arts and crafts.
Involvement: I am a part of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) and YoungLife organizations.
Quote: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Nelson Mandela
Fun Fact: I’ve been to Japan!
Learning Strategy: I like to form study groups with my classmates and reteach the material to each other. This way if someone doesn't understand a concept the rest of us can help out.
Major: Social Work
Class: Senior
Hometown: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Hobbies: Painting, listening to music, hiking, and animals
Involvement: Sociology club, intramural volleyball, Zumba, and Social Work Club
Quote: “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change”- Michael Jackson
Fun Fact: I am a red head with blue eyes which puts me in 1 percent of the population.
Learning Strategy: Being organized brings the most success.
Major: Counseling Psychology
Class: Junior
Hometown: Parker, Colorado
Hobbies: Writing, music, and journaling
Involvement: Psychology Club and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Quote: “Perseverance is falling down 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” -Julie Andrews
Fun Fact: I have never eaten a pickle and never will because of a bet I made four years ago.
Learning Strategy: Flashcards for memorization and using a planner for organization/time management!