(Peru, Neb.) The Peru State College (PSC) Office of Residence Life has selected 16 students to serve as Freshman Fusion Experience Program mentors and resident assistants during the 2011-12 academic year. 

The Freshman Fusion Experience Program is designed for first-year students who choose to live as a community of learners in Mathews Hall and pledge to remain substance free. Mentors are student leaders and role models who receive extensive training to assist their assigned mentees with issues such as high school to college transition, self-awareness, personal decision making, working and living with others, servant leadership, etc. Mentors help new students find success throughout their first year of college.

Resident assistants serve primarily upperclassmen and some first-year students in all three residential facilities. As front-line resource staff, they receive extensive training on issues that affect the student experience. In their role as student leaders and role models, resident assistants are required to plan and implement educational and social programs. They must possess skills that enable the students they serve to become more engaged in their living and learning environment.  

The mentors and resident assistants were selected after completing an extensive application and interview process. To qualify for the positions, students must:

• Have lived in a residence hall for two semesters.
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• Be free from any form of social/academic probation.
• Be willing to work with a diverse group of people.
• Be willing to engage their peers in a holistic approach to their educational experience at PSC.

Seth Bingham, assistant director of Residence Life, said, “The Residence Life staff plays an important role in helping our students find success. The staff members have extensive contact with students and accept a great deal of the responsibility for a successful on-campus experience. The Residence Life Office selected these students due to their demonstrated leadership and dedication to Peru State College and because they met our high standard of excellence.”

Freshman Fusion Experience Program mentors are listed below by hometown along with their year and major.

Nebraska

Fort Calhoun

Danielle Prchal, Sophomore - Psychology

LaVista

Jacob Acers, Junior – Psychology

Lincoln

Jordan Bergman, Sophomore - Accounting

Nebraska City

Madison Farris, Junior – Social Science Education

*Program Coordinator

Reynolds

Cassie Leonard, Sophomore - Math Education

Resident assistants are listed below by hometown along with their year and major.

Nebraska

Burchard

Bailey deKoning, Junior – Psychology

Crete

Michaela Wolverton, Junior – Music Business Marketing

Gretna

Drew Wellenstein, Sophomore - History and Natural Science

Lincoln

Trevin Nelson, Junior – Human Performance and Systems Management

Ellen Larsen, Freshman – Elementary and Special Education

Omaha

William Jackson, Junior - History Education

*Senior Resident Assistant

Jennifer Trapp, Junior – Graphic Design and Art Education

Tecumseh

Nicholas Baird, Sophomore - English and Psychology

Out-of-State

Iowa

Atlantic

Oran Perkins, Senior – Criminal Justice Administration

Hamburg

Tairi Ferguson, Sophomore - Psychology

Wyoming

Cheyenne