Meet Our Peer Mentors

Rodger Ecker '24, Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: Kingston, NY
• Majors: Business Management and Art History
• Minor: Arts Management and Entrepreneurship
• Involvement: Class of 2024 Vice President, Peer Mentor Leader, Phi Delta Theta MD Gamma; Risk Management & House Manager, PeerSMART Vice President, SGA Organizations Committee Chair, MMA Club Vice President, Presidential Fellow
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I want to make an impact on my community and give back to the school in a way that is beneficial to my peers.

Claire Garretson '25, Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: Crystal Lake, IL
• Majors: Communication & Media Studies and French Studies
• Minors: Business Management, Marketing, and European Studies
• Involvement: Peer Mentor Leader, Secretary of Academics for the SGA, Vice President of Community Relations for AOII, Career Center Intern and Ambassador, Presidential Fellow, Cincinnatus Fellow, Chairman's Scholar, Sophie Kerr Scholar, Cater Society Fellow
• I love WAC because it is truly a launchpad for my dreams and has brought me to the most incredible people and opportunities. The chance to interact directly with faculty members, to be involved in every aspect of my education, to learn experientially, and with lots of interdisciplinary pathways available has made the last two years so incredible. I'm passionate about helping students find their niche here at WAC, because there really is something for everyone! The role of Peer Mentor Leader is truly the most fun job I've ever had, because I get to interact with fellow students from their first day on campus and empower them to thrive in a place I love so much.

Megan Somers '24, Peer Mentor Leader

• Hometown: Wilmington, DE
• Major: Biochem
• Involvement: SGA Environmental Committee, Peer Tutor, Shorefit, Toll Apprentice, Presidential Fellow
• I chose to be a Peer Mentor because I want to grow. I recognized while I was comfortable being a leader, I knew I was missing something. I was looking forward to getting to know my mentees but I never could've pictured growing through the peer mentor team. I found what I was looking for through creating those connections with them.

Zach Affeldt '25

• Hometown: Savage, MN
• Majors: International Studies and Political Science
• Minors: German and European Studies
• Involvement: Peer Mentor, Honor Board, Institute of Religion, Politics and Culture, Student Government, German Club, Swim Team
• I love WAC because it’s a great place to explore a variety of interests. Along with that, the college hosts faculty who are excited and committed to ensuring a rich learning environment.

Kya Balin-Brooks '26

• Hometown: Rockville, MD
• Majors: International Studies and Anthropology
• Involvement: Student Government Association Parliamentarian, Peer Mentor, Student Affairs Office Assistant, George’s General, Member of Wacapella
• I’m a legacy so I’ve always been familiar with the school. I chose to be a peer mentor because I wanted to be there for students during this transition period because I know how much of a help my peer mentor was to me!

John DeSoto '24

• Hometown: Bel Air, MD
• Major: International Studies
• Minor: International Economics
• Involvement: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
•  I love WAC because of the community and the incredible friends I have made over the years. I love the career opportunities that WAC has provided for me. I chose to be a peer mentor because I want to connect with the incoming freshman and be a role model for them to grow throughout their first year of college.

Heather Fabritze '25

• Hometown: Lehigh Valley, PA
• Majors: English and Communications and Media Studies
• Minor: Journalism, Editing, and Publishing
• Involvement: The Elm (News Co-Editor); SGA (Honor Board Chair); Zeta Tau Alpha (Panhellenic Delegate); Presidential Fellow
• I love being part of a campus where I know I’ll always be able to find a support system or a warm smile. Being a peer mentor only allows me to spread that community even further!

Justin Fitzpatrick '25

• Hometown: Wilmington, DE
• Major: Communications and Media Studies
• Involvement: Peer mentor, swim coach, lead videographer for the athletic department, swim team
• I'm a peer mentor because I love the environment of a small school and I wanted others to feel at home when they get here.

Hunter Frederick '25

• Hometown: Laurel, MD
• Majors: Economics and Political Science
• Involvement: George’s Generals, Men’s Rowing, Kappa Sigma, Student Government
• I love WAC because of all the opportunities for campus involvement offered to its students. I chose to be a Peer Mentor so that I can help students find belonging in the Washington College Campus Community.

Stephen Hook '25

• Hometown: Catonsville, MD
• Majors: Political Science and Communications and Media Studies
• Involvement: President of the Class of 2025, SGA Senator, Honor Board Panelist, VP of College Democrats, member of the German Club
• I chose Washington College for its commitment to close relationships with faculty, unique internship opportunities, and tight-knit campus community. Peer Mentors are a crucial element of our unique orientation experience and I’m excited to be a part of this program!

Kennedy Jones '24

• Hometown: Burke, VA
• Majors: Environmental Science and Political Science
• Involvement: Sailing Captain, Women’s Swimming, Food Service Advisory Committee, Douglas and Libby Cater Society Junior Fellow
• I love WAC because of the people and opportunities that WAC has. Our professors care and want us to exceed both in and out of the classroom. My freshman year I was able to attend a week long seminar by PLEN about Women in Global Policy. This past spring I went to Northern Ireland with my Comparative Peace Processes class. This trip was designed to include all of our different interests. Additionally, I have received a grant from the Cater Society to study park signage in Bermuda this summer!

Marcelina Lewis '25

• Hometown: Owings Mills, MD
• Major: Environmental Science
• Minor: Anthropology
• Involvement: Safe Ride Director, Peer Mentor
• I chose to be a peer mentor because my peer mentor was a crucial part of my freshman experience and I wanted to provide that first connection for incoming freshmen.

Justin Morris '24

• Hometown: Gilbertsville, PA
• Major: Biology
• Minors: Chemistry and Public Health
• Involvement: Swim team captain, writing tutor, honor board panelist, Cater fellow, Tri-Beta.
• WAC is great due to its smaller class sizes. I am able to form great relationships with my professors, who open the door to unique opportunities for me. I chose to be a peer mentor to help guide freshman to find themselves with the amazing opportunities that WAC provides.

Cara Olivarez '26

• Hometown: Felton, DE
• Major: Biology
• Involvement: President of the class of 2026, AOII, SGA, Rowing, Pesidential Fellow
• I love WAC because of the close community on campus. I chose to be a peer mentor because of my peer mentors, they were so nice and welcoming and that made want to be apart of the team.

Cole Olson '24

• Hometown: Newburyport, MA
• Major: Economics
• Minor: Political Science
• Involvement: President of Phi Delta Theta, library information assistant, economics club
• I love all of the opportunities available at WAC and I want to share them with others.

Bryson Ostrum '26

• Hometown: Hagerstown, MD
• Major: Engineering
• Involvement: Women's Basketball team, Peer Mentor
• I want to help incoming students with their transition to college and be a friendly face on campus.

Emma Parker-Watt '25

• Hometown: Elkton, MD
• Major: Environmental Science
• Minor: Public Health
• Involvement: SGA Speaker of the Senate, VP of Finance & Admin of the Panhellenic Council, French Club, Peer Mentor, Zeta Tau Alpha, Presidential Fellow
• I love WAC because of the tight-knit campus community we have here. The professors are always willing to work with you and have a real passion for teaching. I have always felt welcome on this campus in every leadership position I’ve taken on.

Lauren Paules '26

• Hometown: Blandon, PA
• Majors: Biology, Pre-Vet
• Minors: Chemistry and Dance
• Involvement: SGA Senator, class of 2026 treasurer, swim team, dance club
• I chose to be a peer mentor to watch incoming students make connections and friendships with their fellow classmates. I love WAC because of the amazing student community and the supportive professors who want to see you succeed.

Jack Poleto '25

• Hometown: Medford, NJ
• Major: Data Science
• Minors: History and Economics
• Involvement: Student Government Association Financial Controller, The Elm's Sports Editor, Men's Swimming
• I love WAC because there is an unlimited amount of opportunities that give you real experience in the field you want to go into and the faculty here genuinely care about their students!

Kamden Richardson '24

• Hometown: Fargo, ND
• Majors: History and Political Science
• Minor: Secondary Education
• Involvement: Captain and Coxswain on the Women’s Rowing Team, Presidential Fellow, President of Alpha Omicron Pi, Director of Communications and Marketing for the Student Government Association, Peer Mentor, Intern at the Starr Center, Secretary of Phi Alpha Theta

Isabella Sorhegui '26

• Hometown: Naples, FL
• Majors: Economics and Philosophy
• Involvement: tennis team, Presidential Fellow, Omicron Delta Epsilon
• I love WAC because of the tight-knit campus community and because of the immense support I constantly experience on campus. I chose to be a peer mentor so I could guide new students and help foster a positive attitude and environment.

Hailey Sutton '24

• Hometown: Baltimore, MD
• Major: Biology
• Minor: Public Health
• Involvement: Black Student Union (BSU) secretary, Peer Mentor, George’s General
• My peer mentor was amazing and made me feel really welcomed on campus. I have a great understanding of campus life and I would like to return what my mentor did for me to our community.