Peer Mentors

We are hiring for Learning Community Peer Mentors for the 2023-2024 school year!

Learning Community Peer Mentors are upper-division students who provide support for first-year students and work with faculty and staff to enhance the first-year experience of these students. The purpose of the Peer Mentor is to encourage and assist first-year students in their social and academic transition to UNL. Some of the typical responsibilities of mentors include:

Supporting first-year students as they transition to life at UNL
Planning and leading co-curricular programs
Building community with students in their Learning Community
Working as a liaison between the students and faculty in a Learning Community
Being a team player on the Learning Community team

Mentors work an average of 6-7 hours/week and are compensated hourly at a rate of $10.55/hour. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to serve as a Learning Community Peer Mentor.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Apply at unl.erezlife.com.

For more information or any questions you may have, please contact Emily Madsen at emadsen4@unl.edu

LC Student Ambassador

Danie Oberpriller

She/Hers

Learning Communities Ambassador

Learn more about Danie

Major:: Biological Sciences
Favorite Musical Artist:: The Killers
What was your favorite experience in your Learning Community your first year?: My favorite experience in my learning community was one floor hour, my mentor and I had gone over a whole bunch of school stuff, and to destress, we watched a puppy videos.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln?: I love Kelly’s Produce Stand. Everyone is really nice and they have really good quality, fresh produce.
What mythological creature do you wish existed and why?: I wish Hippogriffs were real. The one in Harry Potter looked so nice and sweet.

2022-2023 Peer Mentors

Emily Martindale

She/Her

Mentor for Ag Futures: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Service

Learn more about Emily

Major:: Agriculture Education
Favorite Quote:: “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”- Thomas Jefferson
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: I loved getting to know people that were also on my learning community. We would always hang out with each other and created most of my favorite memories from the dorm with them.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Get out of your room and meet people. Once you find “your people”, it is so much easier to enjoy your time on campus, and you are able to grow your support system.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: The Mill on Innovation Campus. It’s a cute quiet place with some pretty good coffee.

Allison Linton

She/Her

Mentor for Beyond the Practice Room

Learn more about Allison

Major:: Music Education
Favorite Candy:: Sour Patch Kids
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go to France. It’s beautiful and there’s really good rock climbing.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Be sure to take time for yourself! School is important but so are you.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: The Mill! It’s a great place to study

Jillian Bunjer

She/Her

Mentor for Biological Sciences: Research on the Cutting Edge

Learn more about Jillian

Major:: Biological Sciences on the Pre-Med trac
Favorite Music Artist:: Hozier or Taylor Swift
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Plan at least one thing each week that you look forward to! It can be anything from hanging out with friends, going to target, or getting a coffee. It helps to have something to be excited about during a long and stressful week.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: I love the Coffee House! It’s a great place to study, hang out with friends, and its really close to campus!
?If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would love to go to Sweden! I love to hike, and Sweden has a ton of mountains. It also has a lot of palaces, which I would love to see.

Jack Britten

He/Him

Mentor for Business Leaders

Learn more about Jack

Major:: Accounting
Favorite Quote:: "Do or do not. There is no try" – Yoda
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: The best advice I can give is to get out there. The best way to meet people and have incredible experiences is to join organizations and go to events. It may be awkward at first, but it may wind up being where you meet your best friends.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place in Lincoln is Memorial Stadium. There is nothing like a husker gameday.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go to the Louvre in Paris. I love art, and seeing the masterpieces displayed there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sophie Brandt

She/Her

Mentor for Business Opportunities: Find your Fit

Learn more about Sophie

Major:: Accounting
Favorite Drink:: Dr Pepper
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: In my learning community, our peer mentors encouraged us to get together as a group and study. This was amazing, as it allowed us all to grow closer and make sure all of us could do well in our classes.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Stay open minded. Things can change very quickly, and keeping flexible with a positive attitude can open so many more doors for you than if you don’t.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: I love Bagels & Joe at the Foundry. It’s a great place to study or just to go grab a coffee and breakfast with friends.

Clarissa Mason

She/Her

Mentor for Chemistry: In Our Element

Learn more about Clarissa

Major:: Biochemistry, Microbiology
Favorite Music Artist:: Pentatonix
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Take time to have fun! School is important and it should be your top priority, but know it’s ok to have a life outside of that!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go to Switzerland! I love the mountains and would love to go spend a week in a cabin somewhere and maybe learn how to ski!
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I enjoy baking, mini golfing, playing guitar, and participating in the marching band!

B Littman

They/Them

Mentor for Computing your Future/Good

Learn more about B

Major:: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Quote:: Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place. – Raymond Holt
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: I’m looking forward to getting to know my mentees and sharing wisdom that I gained during my first year on campus. Being in college is such a unique time of life, but it also comes with challenges and lots of adjustments. I’m excited to be a smiling, approachable face for mentees during this time.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: I really like MW Climbing, because I have made some amazing memories with friends. Food wise, Sultan’s Kite is my favorite restaurant, their falafel and tzatziki is delicious.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand and Australia because it sounds cool and there’s lots of outdoor adventures to do. I also want to visit Iceland because every photo I’ve seen is beautiful.

Shawna Bartson

She/Her

Mentor for Discover Companion Animals

Learn more about Shawna

Major:: Animal Science and Dance
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: The Greatest Showman
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: As a mentor, I am looking forward to meeting new students that have a similar interest in companion animals and helping them through their first year at UNL.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Don’t be afraid to talk to the people in your classes, especially in the general classes as there tends to be people from many majors and backgrounds that you can make friends with. Along with finding a healthy balance between hanging out with friends and studying is very important in the first year.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: Some of my favorite hobbies include photography, baking, and reading.

Cheyenne Bishop

She/Her

Mentor for Discover the Classroom: A Passion for Teaching

Learn more about Cheyenne

Major:: Music Education
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: How I Met Your Mother
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: My favorite experience was just getting to meet the different people in my LC. It was a very diverse group but I’m so glad to have met all of them.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Downtown is always fun because there are so many fun & different things to do. You’ll never get bored.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go on top of a really tall mountain to enjoy the nature around me, and also watch the sunrise/sunset

Emma Hansen

She/Her

Mentor for Discover the Healthy Human: Nutrition and Health Sciences

Learn more about Emma

Major:: Nutrition, Exercise, Health Science
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: Spiderman No Way Home
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Get involved early! It is a lot easier to meet new people and join clubs when everyone else is trying to do the same thing.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place in Lincoln is the sunken gardens because it looks so pretty when everything is in bloom!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go to Italy to see all of the old architecture and try some authentic food!

Wren Shawhan

They/Them

Mentor for EcoLeaders

Learn more about Wren

Major:: Anthropology
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: Everything Everywhere All at Once
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: As a mentor, I have loved having such a close knit group that makes it fun to meet up every week! I love building a sense of community and making sure everyone feels welcome at events. There’s always time for fun and games, along with productivity.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would love to visit Tierra del Fuego. This is always my go to for a question like this because it covers everything. Cute penguins? Yes! Practice my Spanish? Yes! See some cool volcanoes! YES!
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I am a fan of trivia. You can catch me watching Jeopardy over the week, and I am also the president of the Quiz Bowl club on campus! If you need a fun fact, I can find one or make one up.

Rachamim Zamek

He/Him

Mentor for Engineering Robotics

Learn more about Rachamim

Major:: Mechanical Engineering
Favorite Music Artist:: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: Last year my learning community and I went to Escape Lincoln to try out some escape rooms. It was fun to collaborate with my learning community in a non-educational setting. I am looking forward to meeting new students and helping them transition to life at UNL.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Have Fun! There are lot of opportunities to try out new clubs, sports, hobbies, etc at UNL. Do not let inexperience stop you. If it interests, you try it out!
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Mana Games café is the prefect place to relax and play some amazing board games with you friends. They also have amazing food and drinks.

Abby Hebl

She/Her

Mentor for Engineering to Change the World

Learn more about Abby

Major:: Agricultural Engineering
Favorite Drink:: Vanilla iced coffee!
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: NETWORK! Put yourself out there! College can be extremely difficult when you don’t have someone to turn to. Having friends in classes and outside of classes is so important as they provide support in all kinds of aspects.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Pioneer’s Park! I love going here on the weekend mornings for getting in a good hike. I love nature and being away from the busy streets of Lincoln for a little bit of time.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: During COVID I picked up cooking. I didn’t know much about cooking before but I dedicated myself to cooking almost every night for my family. My favorite thing to cook is seafood and I make a mean crab cake.

Bhavana Sunil

She/Her

Mentor for Engineering to Change the World

Learn more about Bhavana

Major:: Biochemistry
Favorite Quote:: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” Nelson Mandela
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: My favorite experience being in a learning community was making friends and having a group of people I could rely on for school work. When I came to college, I didn’t know a lot of other engineering students, so having this LC made it helpful to collaborate with people on school work.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: I really enjoy Bagels and Joe in downtown. They have an amazing variety of bagels and coffee and it’s a very great area to go and study
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I’m an Indian classical dancer, so I enjoy performing around Lincoln and Omaha. I also love to read on my free time, and I would love to have some book recommendations!

Morgan Seashore

She/Her

Mentor for Experience the Lab

Learn more about Morgan

Major:: Biochemistry, Pre-Health
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: Pitch Perfect
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Make Google Calendar your best friend. You are going to be so busy with activities and deadlines that no matter how well your memory is, chances are you aren’t going to remember it all.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Easily Memorial Stadium. There is NOTHING like the atmosphere of game day on Lincoln and it is so cool to see the whole state rally behind our university. It truly shows how lucky we are to attend this university and all of the awesome things it has for us.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I play tennis! I played all through high school and now I play here. The club team here is so awesome and has such a great community! I am also lucky enough to serve a leadership position as secretary which also allows me to get more in touch with faculty members too.

Olivia Schuster

She/Her

Mentor for Exploring Health & Medicine

Learn more about Olivia

Major:: Microbiology
Favorite Quote:: Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: I love the Sunken Gardens. Not a lot of people go there, but it is such a relaxing place to sit and enjoy some nature in Lincoln.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I want to go to Bali, Indonesia. It is a really affordable place with a full immersion into new culture and nature.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I love growing and maintaining plants. My bedroom is filled with about 25 different plants and herbs.

Lauren Bolte

She/Her

Mentor for Exploring Nursing

Learn more about Lauren

Major:: Pre-Nursing
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: Criminal Minds
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place in Lincoln is the café on the first floor of Old Father. It’s a great environment for studying with a cozy café feel.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: Out of anywhere in the world I would want to go to Greece. After taking Ancient Greek History my first semester at school I feel in love with the idea of seeing where all the history actually took place.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: My number one hobby is playing tennis. I picked it up and played competitively throughout high school. I now enjoy going out with friends and family to play without having to be competitive.

Emily Mettlen

She/Her

Mentor for First Gen Learning Community

Learn more about Emily

Major:: Music Education
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: Survivor
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: I was in the music learning community and my favorite thing was the game nights me and the other students in the LC would have together.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: Paris! I studied French in high school and it’s always been my dream to go to France.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I love crafts like macrame, painting, and sewing. I even learned how to crochet!

Lauren Penington

She/Her

Mentor for Media Smarts: Broadcasting, Journalism & Sports Communication

Learn more about Lauren

Major:: Journalism
Favorite Quote:: Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Put yourself out there! Apply for everything that interests you and get involved with clubs. The worst they can do is say no, but you don't know until you try and they may remember your name in the future.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Greece. Aside from the picturesque views from ocean-side towns, there is so much interesting history to explore.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I enjoy both artistic photography and photojournalism. I also have recently begun to learn how to play the guitar and how to crochet.

Caroline Mattern

She/Her

Mentor for Melvin Jones Scholars

Learn more about Caroline

Major:: Music Education
Favorite Drink:: Starbucks Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Try new things! Just because you didn’t do a certain activity or club in high school doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t do it in college! Put yourself out there, and you’ll be surprised at what great opportunities come your way.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place is Memorial Stadium. Being in the Cornhusker Marching Band, I have spent many early mornings and Saturday game days having fun with the other members of the CMB and getting to perform for 90,000 people.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I’d like to go to Niagara Falls. I’ve never been, and I’ve always wanted to go and see how pretty it is in person.

Macy Sabo

She/Her

Mentor for Pre-Law Opportunities: Preparing for Your J.D. and Beyond

Learn more about Macy

Major:: Criminology
Favorite Music Artist:: George Ezra
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Talk to your professors. Go introduce yourself and ask for help when you need it. Get to know your professors and do not be embarrassed about asking for help.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would go to Egypt. I would love to learn more about the history and be able to see the Valley of Kings in person.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I love to kayak, sail, read, and hike. I also love to be in my hammock during the summer.

Alex Neill

He/Him

Mentor for Pressbox: Sports Media and Communication

Learn more about Alex

Major:: Broadcasting & Sports Media and Communication
Favorite Quote:: “Life is an Occasion. Rise to it!” – Mr. Edward Magorium (Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium)
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I collect Vinyl Records and love film photography!
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: You can’t beat the feeling of Memorial Stadium on Gameday Saturdays!
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Build Connection. Build Connections. Build Connections. Sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know!

Cagney Ehlers

She/Her

Mentor for Pre-Vet: The Path to Veterinary Success

Learn more about Cagney

Major:: Biological Sciences and Pre-Veterinary Program
Favorite Movie:: The Twilight Saga
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: My favorite experience of being in the Pre-Vet Learning Community freshman year was having the academic support from my mentor and discovering more about myself, my passions, and my motivation. It really helped me develop my plans for my future career.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: It’s hard to pick any one place, but my top places to travel are Japan, Tanzania, Ecuador, or Spain. The culture in all these places would be unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I’d be interested to try new foods, attempt to communicate with people I meet (I’m a Spanish minor), and see the wildlife in these areas.
What is the best piece of advice would you give to a first-year student?: Get involved and don’t be afraid to try something new. You’re not going to regret it, because it’s college, and you are only tied down by the things you want to be tied down by.

Dane Chamberlin

They/Them

Mentor for Prism: LGBTQA+ and Allied Students

Learn more about Dane

Major:: Political Science and Global Studies
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: The Trial of the Chicago 7
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: My favorite part about being in a learning community was just having people around who were going through some of the same issues I was. I also met my two best friends in this community and I probably wouldn’t met them if not for the LC.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Joann Fabric on 56th ST. Me and my friend go there constantly throughout the year because we’re both huge crafters. It’s the reason why we started Mind & Craft, which I’m the current president of, so it’s just a happy place for us.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: Actually I’ll be going to Israel this summer and I can’t wait! I want to go everywhere, that’s why I chose Global Studies as a major. I want to work in international relations so the world is on my list.

Tillie Stanton

They/Them

Mentor for Prism: LGBTQA+ and Allied Students

Learn more about Tillie

Major:: English
Favorite Movie or TV Show:: The Princess Bride
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I love to read and knit! If I listen to an audiobook, I can do both at the same time!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: Germany! I have family there, but I also want to try the food and explore because it’s a very pretty country.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place is A Novel Idea bookstore! They have an amazing selection of used books, the atmosphere is cozy, the staff is so kind, and I love visiting the cats who live there!

Isaac Rasmussen

He/Him

Mentor for Psyched Up! Analyzing Psychology

Learn more about Isaac

Major:: Psychology
Favorite Candy:: Twix
If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: Living in an LC was great because of the many events and activities that helped me meet new people. The LC was also great in the way that if I needed help in a class many of us were taking, I never had to go far to find help of some sort.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?: I would travel all across Europe for its wide and expansive scenery and variety of different kinds of food.
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: I like to drum in my free time! I am usually either playing or teaching drums and music whenever I am not busy studying or being involved on campus.

Emily Lorius

She/Her

Mentor for Responsible Design: Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture

Learn more about Emily

Major:: Architecture
Favorite Music Artist:: COIN
• If you were in a Learning Community, what was your favorite experience? If you were not in a Learning Community, what are you looking forward to as a mentor?: I was in the Responsible Design Learning Community. My favorite experience being in one was that I got to be roommates with someone in my same program. I also enjoyed getting to take classes and work on homework with my LC since we were all in the same classes.
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: It’s tough to choose just one, but my favorite place in Lincoln is probably Bloom Coffee. It’s a new coffee shop and the Iced Brown Sugar Latte is to die for!
Do you have any fun hobbies? What are they?: One of my hobbies is playing lacrosse! I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and painting pottery.

Lanie Szatmary

Peer Connections Mentor

Learn more about Lanie

Major:: Business Management
Favorite TV Show:: American Horror Story
What is the best piece of advice you would give a first-year student?: My best piece of advice for freshmen would be to always put yourself out there and say “yes” to trying new things.
What is your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: My favorite place in Lincoln is Reactor, which is a super cute coffee shop. I like it because I love coffee and it feels very homey and cute.

Maja Tate

Peer Connections Mentor

Learn more about Maja

Major:: Sports Media and Broadcasting
Favorite Music Artist:: Harry Styles
What is the best piece of advice you would give to a first-year student?: Go to events on your floor, with your Learning Community, and in your hall!
What mythological creature do you wish existed and why?: Mermaids because that would be pretty cool.

Natalie Pond

Peer Connections Mentor

Learn more about Natalie

Major:: Biochemistry and Forensic Science, minor in Chemistry
Favorite TV Show:: Criminal Minds
What’s your favorite place in Lincoln and why?: Reactor Coffee. It’s the best and cheapest coffee in Lincoln and it’s owned by a UNL student.
Did you learn any fun hobbies during COVID?: I taught myself how to play the guitar!

Addy Ubele

Peer Connections Mentor

Learn more about Addy

Major:: Elementary Education
Favorite Quote:: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
What are you looking forward to as a mentor?: I am looking forward to helping new students get transitioned into UNL!
What is the best piece of advice you would give to a first-year student?: Be yourself!