HDEV 2012-2013 Peer Advisors
(This site is dedicated to bringing HDEV students more information about their PA’s)
FALL 2012
Who are HDEV Peer Advisors?
HDEV Peer Advisers are a group of Human Development students who are interested in helping their peers to
achieve academic success. They are recruited from amongst the upper class student body and are extensively
trained to share their strategies for academic success and knowledge of campus resources.
What can Peer Advisors do?
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Advise students on a walk-in basis
Help with course selection, scheduling, and late add/drop questions
Assist students in exploring internship opportunities
Offer referrals to various campus resources, both academic and non-academic
Help students learn to use b-mail, blackboard, and BU Brain
Know about room changes and canceled classes
Answer questions about University and CCPA policies
Distribute forms and other paperwork
Advise students about independent study opportunities
Help students understand DARS (degree audit) report
Talk with prospective students interested in transferring into CCPA
Why meet the Peer Advisors?
Peer Advisers are your student ambassadors in Human Development Department. As full-time undergraduates,
they have the similar experiences and share the same concerns as you do. Because our Peer Advisers are
extensively trained by our Undergraduate Academic Advisor – Donna Di Stefano, they can advise you on the
proper steps needed to succeed in college.
Where are the Peer Advisors?
The Peer Advising Office is located in the
University Downtown Center Room 413
Phone: 607-777-9202
Peer advisors are available for walk-in advising hours and can also be reached via email and
phone (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday) throughout the academic year.
FALL 2012 PEER ADVISING OFFICE HOURS
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
9:00-9:30
Jenna
Shaneira
Jenna
Erin
Amna
Erin
Erin
Eve
9:30-10:00
Jenna
Shaneira
Jenna
Erin
Amna
Erin
Erin
Eve
10:00-10:30
Jenna
Shaneira
Jenna
Stacy
Erin
Eve
10:30-11:00
Jenna
Shaneira
Jenna
Stacy
11:00-11:30
Jenna
Shaneira
Jenna
Stacy
Amna
Mengchen
Stacy(GA)
Amna
Mengchen
Stacy(GA)
Meeting
11:30-12:00
Eve
Shaneira
Viola
Stacy
Meeting
Erin
Viola
12:00-12:30
Eve
Shaneira
Viola
Stacy
Erin
Viola
12:30-1:00
Eve
Shaneira
Viola
Stacy
1:00-1:30
Shaneira
Dominique
Dominique
Dominique
Amna
Shaneira
Stacy(GA)
Amna
Shaneira
Stacy(GA)
Jenna
Shaneira
2:00-2:30
Eve
Dominique
Shaneira
Dominique
2:30-3:00
Eve
Dominique
Shaneira
Dominique
Mengchen
Stacy
3:00-3:30
Eve
Dominique
Shaneira
Dominique
Mengchen
Stacy
Viola
3:30-4:00
Eve
Dominique
Viola
Shaneira
Mengchen
Stacy
Viola
4:00-4:30
Eve
Dominique
Erin
Viola
Mengchen
Stacy
Viola
4:30-5:00
Eve
Dominique
Erin
Viola
Mengchen
Stacy
Jenna
1:30-2:00
Dominique
Erin
Eve
Erin
Viola
Eve
Viola
Eve
Stacy
Stacy
Stacy
5:00-5:30
Eve
Dominique
Erin
Viola
Jenna
Mengchen
Jenna
Fall 2012 Peer Advisors Profile
Mengchen Huang
Graduate Intern
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Mengchen Huang is now in her second year as a graduate intern for
the HDEV Peer Advisors Internship Program. She is enrolled in a dual master’s degree
program with Public Administration and Student Affairs Administration, both of which she
will complete in the spring of 2013.
Mengchen has worked on a number of projects since joining Human Development
Department to coordinate the HDEV Peer Advisors Internship Program in the fall of 2011.
She updated the Peer Advising website, revised the Peer Advisors Internship guidelines,
organized Peer Advisors weekly meeting, and monitored the Peer Advisors team’s
performance. Through the work, she has had the opportunity to apply theories into practice
and gain a greater understanding of the structure and processes involved in creating a
successful Peer Advising program.
This year, Mengchen will continually work to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
HDEV Peer Advisors program to better serve our students. After graduation, she is hoping to
work as student affairs professional in academic advising or multicultural student programs.
Amna Mian
Hometown: Johnson City, New York
Majors: Human Development & Sociology
Graduation Date: May 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school for early childhood education
Why I chose a degree in Human Development: I knew I wanted to go into a
career field involved with helping people. The internship requirement for the
degree (HDEV 475) grabbed my attention as an opportunity to get some practical
experience. I am confident that the HDEV program will provide a strong
foundation for my future educational and career goals.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I wanted to be able to help other HDEV students with their
academic needs while also strengthening my leadership and communication skills. As a transfer student
myself, I recognize the need for strong peer support and I wanted to give back to the program in this capacity.
This past summer, I worked at a camp for children with special needs. The experience was
very rewarding and helped me confirm my decision to become an elementary school teacher.
I want to be a teacher so I can be a positive role model for young children and inspire them
to achieve their goals.
Dominique Hutchinson
Hometown: Queens, NY
Major: HDEV Minor: Spanish
Graduation Date: May 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school for Social Work and Public Administration
Why I chose a degree in human development: I think it is important to understand
how a person’s surrounding affects them as an individual.
Why I wanted to be a peer advisor: I wanted to be one of the individuals on campus that make a student’s life
easier and simpler as possible.
I believe that I am a leader in my community at home and in Binghamton. It is important for
me to set an example for the growing youth. I am interested in working with troubled youth
in urban areas because I want to show and prove to them that you do not have to accept
negativity as the norm.
Erin Farley
My Hometown: Shirley, New York
Majors: Human Development & Sociology
Graduation Date: Spring 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school for Student Affairs Administration
Why I chose a degree in Human Development: I chose to major in Human Development
because it provides a great foundation for entry into a diverse array of careers by
preparing you to work with others.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I chose to be an HDEV Peer Advisor to familiarize myself with the
field of Student Affairs, and to help every student I meet have the best experience possible here at
Binghamton. Our campus is pretty big and it’s easy to feel somewhat invisible. I would like to make sure that
students feel comfortable, and know about all the resources available to them.
I love working with people and plan to pursue a career in Student Affairs Administration.
Last year I interned with the Office of Transfer Student Initiatives and Services, and 20:1,
a sexual assault prevention program. Both internships were very rewarding experiences and
provided me with the opportunity to combine what I've learned in Human Development
classes, with supervised, real-world experiences.
Eve Wool
My Hometown: Shrub Oak, NY
Major: Human Development Minor: History
Graduation Date: Spring 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school for Social Work at Binghamton
Why I Chose a Degree in Human Development: I thought it would allow me to pursue
my goals of becoming a Social Worker while still keeping my options open for other public service fields.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I remember how difficult transferring into Binghamton was, and
how challenging it was to understand all the intricacies of reading your DARS, applying for an IUT, and just
being in a new environment. I hope that my time as a peer advisor I can relieve some of that stress for other
students.
I talk, walk, and think very fast and often my mouth can't keep up with my brain. I like to
cook, hike, read and partake in general shenanigans.
Jenna Tufano
My Hometown: Lake Ronkonkoma
Major: Human Development
Graduation Date: Spring 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school for Social Work
Why I chose a degree in Human Development: It is a versatile degree; you can do
some much with it.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I truly love CCPA and I want everyone
to feel the way that I do!
My goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have my own practice
specializing in Marriage and Family Counseling. I'd absolutely love to have my own practice,
like my grandfather did, who was also a social worker. When I am not doing anything Human
Development related, you'll find me working at the University's Call Center or hanging out
on campus. You should know that I love EVERYTHING about Binghamton University,
literally, everything.
Shaneira A. DaSilva
My Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Majors: Human Development & Sociology with concentration in Nursing
Graduation Date: May 2013
Graduation Plan: Attend a SUNY BAT program for Nursing for a year
Why I Chose a Degree in Human Development: I decided to major in Human Development not only because I
enjoy helping others but because regardless of my career path, Human Development is at the core of every
aspect of life.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I decided to become a peer advisor because it is my opportunity
to learn more about the major and also to help other students along their way.
I am the first of my direct family to attend college and my goal is to graduate and become a
nursery nurse. I also plan to open up my own community youth center that will provide basic
medical attention, academic support and social skill building within an inner city. I enjoy
helping others, reading, writing and organizing.
Stacy Berkowitz
Hometown: Merrick, NY
Majors: Human Development & Spanish
Graduation Date: May, 2014
Graduation Plan: Attend graduate school to become a Spanish teacher
Why I choose a Degree in HDEV: I chose to pursue a degree in Human Development
because it offers unique classes and provides an intimate learning environment that fuels my passion of
helping others.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I decided to become an HDEV Peer Advisor to help other students
with their academic struggles. I remember not knowing what classes to take or what career path I would
follow, so I would like to help those students make these decisions!
I want to become a Spanish teacher, ¡muy bien! Other than an HDEV Peer Advisor, I am a
Student Ambassador, participate in Orchesis, and I am a Spanish tutor. I am a hardworking, organized, and outgoing individual, so feel free to ask me anything! I am so excited
for the upcoming semesters and to meet all of you guys!
Viola Santelia
My Hometown: Purchase, New York
Major: Human Development
Graduation Date: December 2012
Graduation Plan: Elementary School Teacher
Why I chose a degree in Human Development: I chose to have a degree in Human
Development because it provides me with a well-rounded background that provided the tools in order to
approach situations from all different aspects and points of views.
Why I wanted to be an HDEV Peer Advisor: I wanted to become an HDEV Peer Advisor because I remembered
what it was like when I was a freshman and I had so many unanswered questions. I wanted to be a resource
that students could use to gain knowledge about there academics at Binghamton University.
My goal is to graduate from Binghamton University in December and start graduate school
in January. I have always loved working with children and have done so through out my time
at Binghamton University. I have volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club on campus as
well as partaken in many semesters as a Johnson City mentor.