This Summer, more than 300 students joined the PeerForward movement. Students traveled from California, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia to spend four days transforming their perspectives on college, self-worth, and their ability to change the world around them.
Our 315 Peer Leaders would experience the workshop for the first time, though a large number of Peer Leaders served on their teams during their junior year. Despite familiarity with the program, Peer Leaders reported the same positive experience as students who were returning to the PeerForward program. One Peer Leader review noted that their favorite part of their workshops was “the companionship that exists here. The overall joy that you get from the relationships you make, especially with such amazing outstanding people.”
We’re grateful to our awesome campus hosts for the 2019 workshop season. PeerForward held workshops on the campuses of Washington College in Chestertown, Md; NOVA Southeastern in Davie, Fl; and Daemen College in Amherst, Ny. Our veteran participants may note that PeerForward has previously held workshops on all three campuses. Our return to the NOVA Southeastern Campus was a particularly special one; NOVA boasted our highest satisfaction rating according to Peer Leaders, and we’re sure their phenomenal campus and dining staff had a lot to do with it.
Our 2019 NOVA Workshop also boasted the most participation from PeerForward Alumni. From operations to volunteering, our alumni had a hand in every facet of the workshop. The presence of veteran alumni allowed both Coaches-In-Training cohorts, Elev8te and 6Gods, to seek mentorship and guidance from generations of certified legacy-model Coaches. In a particularly meaningful training session, members of the Coaches-in-Training cohort 6Gods, were allowed to speak privately with veteran Coaches to receive a historical overview of previous cohorts and their best practices for the role.
The presence of veteran alumni allowed both Coaches-In-Training cohorts, Elev8te and 6Gods, to seek mentorship and guidance from generations of certified legacy-model Coaches. In a particularly meaningful training session, members of the Coaches-in-Training cohort 6Gods, were allowed to speak privately with veteran Coaches to receive a historical overview of previous cohorts and their best practices for the role.
The success of the 2019 workshop season is a credit to our loyal and brilliant volunteers. Of our volunteers, 35% identified as ‘veterans,’ meaning they’ve previously served in four or more workshops. This level of commitment and skill is evidenced in our Peer Leader satisfaction surveys. Both Personal Statement Writing Sessions and College Coaching sessions were the highest-rated sessions across all workshop locations. Our first-time volunteers rose to the occasion and led amazing sessions. Their journey is just as challenging and triumphant as our students, as one volunteer reports, “the role of College Coach pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to try a new experience with PeerForward; I learned a lot and appreciate the opportunity.”
This season was a success thanks to the collective efforts of our staff, volunteers, and participants. We’re so grateful to have another generation of Peer Leaders join our PeerForward movement. For other workshop highlights, please watch our 2019 recap video below.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb-bs-Hwhhk”]
