Meet The Drew Action Mentors
Action Scholar Mentors are junior or senior Drew students who work with Action Scholars faculty to oversee a small group of first-year Action Scholars. First-year Action Scholars will benefit from a strengthened cohort of peers and regular access to experienced Drew students with interest in Action Scholars focus areas or community, innovation, and global impact. Mentors provide the program faculty and staff with insight into the needs and experiences of first-year Action Scholars. This peer-to-peer communication conduit is key to the success of the program for first-year students.
Alyssa Sileo, C’22
I became an Action Scholar Mentor because: welcoming new members of the Drew family to campus and supporting their endeavors are my favorite things to do. I believe in peer-to-peer mentor relationships are one of the best ways to build community. The CCE has helped me becoming a more conscious and strategic theatre artist, and I want to share the best parts of my experience with incoming Action Scholars
My favorite thing about being a Mentor is: Learning alongside my mentees about how to enact meaningful change. While I am a mentor, I am getting just as much insight from their journeys as I hope they are getting from my journey. I love sharing opportunities that have helped me grow and seeing the similar and different things these students get out of them.
The Action Scholars Students are: Unique, thoughtful, and passionate. They are insightful and make connections between the world around them and the world they want to see. Recently I invited my mentees to come to a production I dramaturged and a post-show discussion with an artist/activist. I was so moved when I saw my mentees entering the Zoom room for the event! Action Scholars use their care for the community to uplift everyone.
Read more about Alyssa’s time at Drew University in this student spotlight!
Cassidy Conklin, C’22
My favorite thing about being a Mentor is:
Learning alongside my mentees about how to enact meaningful change. While I am a mentor, I am getting just as much insight from their journeys as I hope they are getting from my journey. I love sharing opportunities that have helped me grow and seeing the similar and different things these students get out of them.
The Action Scholars Students are:
Unique, thoughtful, and passionate. They are insightful and make connections between the world around them and the world they want to see. Recently I invited my mentees to come to a production I dramaturged and a post-show discussion with an artist/activist. I was so moved when I saw my mentees entering the Zoom room for the event! Action Scholars use their care for the community to uplift everyone.
Read more about Alyssa’s time at Drew University in this student spotlight!
Dillon McCarthy, C23
I became an Action Scholar Mentor because The Action Scholar Program (called the civic program during my first year) has provided me with so many opportunities and so much assistance over the years that I felt as though I had to give back. The nice thing about being a mentor is that instead of just giving back, I also get to give forwards, providing all of the knowledge and expertise I’ve acquired over the years to be passed on to the new crop of students.
My favorite thing about being a Mentor is: That moment after you’ve answered a question in a perfect way, or provided exactly the right bit of help. You can literally see the weight fall off of a student’s shoulders and a little bit of calm and relief shoot across their face. There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve been able to help a student in a meaningful way.
The Action Scholars Students are: Much more competent than I was at their age. These students are so talented, motivated, and ready to perform in a way that I wish I was. There is not a doubt in my mind that each one of them will go on to great success in the Action Scholars program and beyond.
Angelia Lobifaro, C’22
I became an Action Scholar Mentor because The Action Scholar Program (called the civic program during my first year) has provided me with so many opportunities and so much assistance over the years that I felt as though I had to give back. The nice thing about being a mentor is that instead of just giving back, I also get to give forwards, providing all of the knowledge and expertise I’ve acquired over the years to be passed on to the new crop of students.
My favorite thing about being a Mentor is: That moment after you’ve answered a question in a perfect way, or provided exactly the right bit of help. You can literally see the weight fall off of a student’s shoulders and a little bit of calm and relief shoot across their face. There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve been able to help a student in a meaningful way.
The Action Scholars Students are: Much more competent than I was at their age. These students are so talented, motivated, and ready to perform in a way that I wish I was. There is not a doubt in my mind that each one of them will go on to great success in the Action Scholars program and beyond.
Starling Noboa Salobo, C’22
I became an Action Scholar Mentor because:
Leaving high school and being involved in service work all my life, I knew that I wanted to continue my passion for it throughout my college time. Coming to Drew and finding the Civic Scholars program was like a dream come true. The program has taught me so much and has given me many opportunities in my academic career. I wanted to become a mentor because I wanted to have the possibility to strengthen the lessons I learned and share with others what worked for me. Doing so can help my mentees form a path that is right for them. I remember the feeling of coming to college and feeling alone. As a mentor It allows me to make the transition less isolating.
My favorite thing about being a Mentor is:
The Action Scholars Students are:
Melanie Haber, C’22
I became an Action Scholar Mentor because: When I first started college, I was really at a loss as to how to become a contributing member of the Drew community. I really wanted to find my place here, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. As an Action Scholar Mentor, I have the ability to help students that are in that same situation to help them find their special place at Drew. I genuinely love interacting with the new students and helping them to find ways to explore their passions.
Being a Mentor, I get to work with students that are truly invested in making a difference, not only in the Drew community but globally as well. These students have taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader. I love getting to learn alongside them and guide them in their innovative pursuits.
The Action Scholars Students are Passionate, Driven, and Caring. All of the Action Scholars I have had the pleasure of working with care immensely about making the world a better place in their own special way. They are the students that go out of their way to start new initiatives and go the extra mile. Although they all may not be 100% sure where they are going after their time at Drew, they are making the best of their time here and working to leave Drew better off than when they arrived.
Read more about Melanie’s time at Drew University in this student spotlight!