This week’s Alumni Spotlight is Irène Diane! Irène served as a Peer Leader at Bowie High School in Maryland until her graduation in 2023. She now proudly attends Princeton University as part of the class of 2027 where she is pursuing a major in Politics and a minor in Classics.
During the 2024 Workshop Season, she returned to PeerForward as a member of the Alumni Support Team where she supported students and ensured that all our Peer Leaders attained their Workshop goals. We caught up with Irène to discuss her college experience thus far and what advice she would give to current Peer Leaders:
Why do YOU serve as a PeerForward Alumni?
I serve as a PeerForward Alumni because I want to give students the same opportunity PeerForward gave me to learn about the college application process and use it as a tool to help myself and others.
What’s been the best part of attending your college/university?
The best part of attending university is that it helped me gain a new perspective on how to discipline myself and set myself up for success. It has been quite rewarding learning about myself and figuring out what works best for me, and being at Princeton pushed me to do that.
How did PeerForward change your perspective of college?
PeerForward taught me that there are so many resources at my disposal. I can use them to help myself and others, especially regarding scholarships and removing that financial barrier to education. With PeerForward’s guidance, I was able to let a peer know about MDCAPS. I later learned that because of that they were able to get free tuition.
How have you been a positive influence to your peers in college?
It’s been really nice to start pushing for people to start thinking about diversity where there is none. By bringing that conversation to the table, I look forward to working more closely with student groups to increase diversity.
What’s one piece of college advice you’d offer Peer Leaders?
Know your limits and do not be afraid to ask for help! Learn your strengths and weaknesses and use that when asking for help so you know what you need. Everyone needs help, from students to Olympians! Do not be afraid to seek it out.
