Academy Students Engage Peers as Community Leaders

The transition from life in high school to the Academy can be bumpy.

Prospective students wonder how they will fit into the program both academically and socially.  The first semester and year of study at the Gatton Academy brings with it a host of lessons and learning experiences.  As current students grow and return for their second year, these experiences can be shared with incoming students so that their transition is as smooth and easy as possible.

To create an avenue for peer mentoring, the Gatton Academy Student Life Team established the Community Leaders program.  Students focused on mentoring students in their first year of the Academy are selected to serve as Community Developers (CDs).  CD’s are selected through a process that includes an essay, RC recommendation, and an interview.  In addition, these students must be in good academic and residence life standing.

2009-10 Community Developers include: Jennifer Connelly; Jordan Jones, Ballard Metcalfe; Hunter Smith; Elaine Flynn; Emily Hall; Justin Jatczak; Sean Karlage; Anna Walter; May Stulz; Forrest Simmons; and Stephen King.

Students who wish to connect with prospective students going through the admissions process as well as public stakeholders have the opportunity to serve as Academy Avatars.  Avatars are selected based on interviews, academic performance, and personality.

2009-10 Academy Avatars include:  Elaine Flynn; Zac Forshee; Emily Hall; Ballard Metcalfe; Rohith Palli; Sarah Pritchett; Katie Rush; and Ryne Weiss.

Beth Hawke, the Gatton Academy’s coordinator of residence life, believes these students leaders are an invaluable resource to both their peers and staff as they give back to the community.

“The community developers are an excellent resource for our incoming students,” Hawke said.  “They act as peer mentors and role models to our new students by offering insights based upon their own first year experience at the Academy.  This is a phenomenal group of students and I am very excited to have them in this role.”

Hawke added that the community developers, in addition to an eager Student Life Team, will help to make this a year to remember at the Gatton Academy.

“I am very excited about this new year,” Hawke said.  “Our residential counselor staff has a blend of experience and enthusiasm that will provide students with the environment that they need to be successful in and out of the classroom.  Rose Nash and Scott Wolfe are returning for a third year as residential counselors and bring a lot of experience to the team.  WKU Honors College graduates Emily Burns and Brian Rogers have worked with the Academy during their undergraduate careers and are returning in full time residential counselor roles.  Rachel Stewart, Sean Giddings, and Sue Meador will round out the residential counselor staff.  Our Assistant Residential Life Coordinator, Melissa Schultz, brings a wealth of experience and energy to the team.”

According to Corey Alderdice, the Gatton Academy’s assistant director for admissions and public relations, the Academy Avatars play a crucial role in informing public stakeholders about the program.

“Legislators, educators, business leaders, and other folks from across Kentucky are excited to hear about the level of student engagement at the Gatton Academy,” Alderdice said.  “Avatars are a great means by which individuals can learn about the Gatton Academy from students who are making the most of this experience.”

With a busy year and a growing pool of applicants ahead, Alderdice believes the Avatars will have an important role in helping students choose to pursue study at the Academy.

“The greatest concern from the family of a prospective student is what will life at the Gatton Academy be like,” Alderdice said.  “There are no better individuals to share the possibilities available and the responsibilities of being an Academy student.”

For more information, contact Beth Hawke or Corey Alderdice at (270) 745-6565.

AAs, Academy Avatars, Beth Hawke, CDs, Community Developers, New Year, Student Life, Student Life Team