PEERFOWARD

Hazard Community and Technical College is pleased to partner with PeerForward, a national student mentoring program, alongside the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, Big Sandy Community and Technical College, and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College to offer students access to Peer Leaders. These Peer Leaders are HCTC students who are also AmeriCorps Volunteers who have been trained and are supported by PeerForward to mentor first-time students who may struggle with "how to do college". HCTC has eight mentors, Olivia Murray, Brandon Wolfe, Nikki Fields, Ashton Burks, Alex Hudson, Haley Mullins, and Kasey Moore, who provide encouragement, guidance, and support to first-time students. Up to 70% of HCTC students are low-income and many are first-generation; although Appalachian students have grit and determination, many are under-prepared for college. As a result, some struggle, become frustrated, and consider leaving college. Peer Leaders will help students understand they have been there too and can provide encouragement and direction on how to maneuver that difficult math class, access accessibility services, or seek tutoring. The research is clear that peer-to-peer support better ensures that students will succed. Peer Leader support will improve mentees course completion and retention rate leading to graduation.

Hello! My name is Haley Mullins, I'm 19 years old  and I currently live in Jackson KY. This is my second year at HCTC and I'm in my second semester of  the Nursing Program on the Lees Campus. I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and spending time at Cave Run Lake. I'm so excited to be a Peer Mentor, allowing  me to provide resources, guidance, and new  information to fellow students! I chose to be a  peer leader because when I first started college, everything was so new to me. I always felt like I  was missing out on important information,  deadlines, and new opportunities. Not only will this be a good way to connect with other students, but it will allow me to create a comfortable environment when students need me. Providing college-related  information is great, but I'm excited to really get  to know other students on a personal level, as a Peer Mentor or even just a friend.

Hi, I am Brandon Wolfe, and I am a 2020 graduate of Jackson City School in Breathitt County. I will  graduate in May with my Associate's Degree in  Mechanical Maintenance. I have been accepted into the Disney College Program, and after graduation, I will be moving to Florida to work at Disney World. I enjoy being a peer leader because it allows me to help other students find information and resources they need to have a successful college experience.

As a PeerForward Leader, I will be able to help  students navigate their way around school, get  help with tutoring, find resources for their needs and just be someone to lean on for suppot and  encouragement. I am excited to meet new  students and help them have a great experience while at HCTC!

My name is Olivia Murray and I am a PeerForward  Leader at HCTC. I graduated from BSCTC in 2020 2020 with an Associate of Arts, and I am currently in the Regional Radiography Program at HCTC. I enjoy being outdoors, and spending time with my  friends and family! My goal as a Peer Forward  leader is to give you sound advice, words of encouragement, and helpful resources to ensure your success as a college student. Let a Peer  Forward leader like myself be an asset to your success and share all the opportunities HCTC has to offer! "Believe you can and you're halfway there!" -Theordore Roosevelt

I'm excited to be a Peer Leader and to be able to use my personal experiences to help other students navigate through the rewarding, but also challenging, adventure that is college. I believe I would have greatly benefited from having a Peer Leader during my first attempt at getting a college  degree several years ago so I am eager to help my fellow students reach their  graduation goals in any way that I can.

Hello, my name is Ashton Burks. I am from Wolfe County, Kentucky. I am currently in my second  semester of the Radiology program at Hazard Community and Technical College. I enjoy hiking, swimming, ad pretty much anything outdoors- related. I chose to become a Peer Mentor,  because I remember when I first began college how lost and confused I was. I always wanted a person to help me with certain tasks or simply just be there to encourage me to keep doing good. I want to make as many students as i can feel confident and want to continue their education at Hazard Community and Technical College.

Hello, I'm Alex Hudson I am currently a student at HCTC in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology  Program. I enjoy hanging out with friends and working with electrical or mechanical equipment. I decided t be a peer leader because I like to help others and want to see more people succeed and surpass their goals.