Honors Peer Mentors
Our Students
Our students come from all over the United States, each with a unique background. The transition to college can be difficult and the Honors Peer Mentor team, a group of current Honors students, is an additional resource to support students as they go through this process.
The Honors Peer Mentorship program came out of 2022 Honors grad and former mentor lead, Silvia Leija’s student advocacy in Honors Students of Color Board (HSOC). HPM is student-led and dedicated to increasing equitable access in Honors and WWU. We’re doing this by mentoring new Honors students in their first year using a holistic and responsive approach and by partnering with resource centers and programs across campus. We’re a team of culturally conscious Honors students that want to use our lived experiences and skills to make a difference!
Students who wish to connect with an Honors mentor can either email them or schedule a meeting during their office hours.
Yareli Barragan - Mentorship Coordinator
On-campus activities/clubs: Outback Farm Volunteer and Honors Students of Color
Yareli (she/her) is an Environmental Studies and Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration double major who hopes to address interconnected human and environmental concerns. At the College of the Environment, she is looking at this through a policy lens while also analyzing community-driven options through her Fairhaven College education.
She was mentored during her first year. Her mentor was incredibly helpful in validating her identity and helping her navigate the difficulties that came with being an out-of-state and low-income student. The following year, she helped incoming students navigate their first year as well. The mentorship relationships she helped developed reaffirmed her desire to continue participating in this program. Now, as a third year, she is ecstatic to lead the 2023-2024 mentorship team. During her free time, she enjoys tending to her Outback Farm garden plot, cooking for friends, or enjoying a good fantasy novel.
Brooklyn Wehr
On-campus activities/clubs: Planned Parenthood Generation Action, Students Demand Action, Spanish Language Club, Queer Eco-Justice Club, Outback Farm
Brooklyn (they/them) is a second-year student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Spanish, Environmental Studies, and Honors. As a disabled queer and trans student, they’re passionate about accessibility. They have always been captivated by the magic and connectedness that comes with fostering relationships and engaging with the community around them, which is why they are excited to be an honors mentor. They hope to bring that energy to increase equity and resources for underserved students. In their free time, Brooklyn enjoys being out in the sun, swimming, biking, climbing, reading, doing art, and going on walks.
Remi Rogoff
Remi (he/him) has not yet decided his major, and he is in the Honors Interdisciplinary Studies Minor. He has loved connecting with the Honors Community through Sunday dinners and movie nights. He is in his second year at Western Washington University, and he is an out-of-state student from Northern California.
Remi (he/him) has experience with peer counseling from his previous job, and he loves how it can build communities and help new people become involved with people and events. He likes cooking, crochet, and making paper snowflakes while listening to audiobooks. When he is home in California, he loves spending time with his dog, Oblio.
Elena Sofía Morgan
On-campus activities/clubs: Students Demand Action
Elena (she/they) is a second-year student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is minoring in Linguistics and Honors.
She was mentored during the 2022-23 school year and the support and guidance she received helped her feel at home and inspired her to work for the Honors Peer Mentor program. She hopes to aid her mentees as they find joy and belonging at WWU.
In her free time, Elena enjoys reading, going to tea shops, spending time outside, photography, and people-watching.
Bethelhem Mekonnen (Betty)
On-campus activities/clubs: Honors Students of Color Board (HSOC), Black Student Union (BSU), Pre-Dental club
Betty (She/Her). I'm a sophomore at Western majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience and minoring in Honors. This is my first time working for the Honors Peer Mentorship program starting Fall 2023. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and challenges faced as a freshman and giving guidance to incoming freshmen. My involvement as a mentee and an upcoming co-chair in HSOC has helped me gain valuable knowledge to promote diversity and inclusivity within our community. During my free time, I enjoy staying in and watching movies, hanging out with my friends, trying new restaurants, and occasionally hiking.
Guadalupe Venegas
On-campus activities/clubs: Honors Students of Color (HSOC)
Guadalupe Venegas (he/they) is a first-generation student, media enthusiast, and writer. This is his second year at Western and he's studying Creative Writing and Latinx Studies through the American Cultural Studies program. In his free time, you can find him playing video games, reading or writing stories, and watching movies.
Sol Wilborn
On-campus activities/clubs: Students Demand Action, Black Student Union (BSU), active in the gym (Wade King Recreation Center), Queer Eco Justice Club
Sol (they/them) is a second-year student majoring in Environmental Studies with a Justice and Community Resilience Emphasis. They are minoring in STEAM and Honors. They work as a peer mentor and do clothing sales every once and a while. They were a mentee during the 2022-2023 year and are incredibly excited to offer the support and friendship that they received from the Honors Peer Mentorship Program! Sol is very invested in sustainable, fun, and expressive clothing. Their hobbies include thrifting, weightlifting, collaging, and wandering in the woods.