Meet the Jump Start Peer Mentors
Omar Abdelhafez
Omar was born in Palestine and moved to the United States in 2006. He now resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He will be graduating at the end of the spring semester with a degree in Business Management and Marketing. Omar enjoys participating in sports and activities, including badminton, pool, and Frisbee. For the past three years Omar has been a part of the Jump Start program; first, as a Jump Start student and then as a Peer Mentor. Omar wants to be a part of the Jump Start program because when he first arrived at Penn State Mont Alto he received so much support and assistance from the program. He now wants to return this type of support to other students.
Kevin Faust
Kevin, a sophomore Human Development Family Studies student from Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, plans to one day be a counselor. Although Kevin commutes to campus from nearby Shippensburg, he has become very involved in campus activities including acting as the Student Government Vice-President. Kevin loves working with people and helping others. He is excited to use his experience and passions to help support Jump Start students.
Kevin’s advice for incoming students ~ “It's not only okay to get help, but it's the right thing to do. When you could use advice, counseling, tutoring, or whatever, GET HELP. Use the campus resources that are available. If you are not trying to succeed, then you are sabotaging your own future.”
Gionna Foster
Gionna is a sophomore from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is interested in majoring in Criminal Justice. Gionna likes to go shopping and hang out with her friends. As a previous Jump Start student, Gionna understands the value of the Jump Start program. She is excited to provide the necessary help to support and encourage the Jump Start students with their transition to Penn State Mont Alto.
Victoria Glaude
Victoria, a graduate of Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, plans to major in broadcast journalism. A native of northeast Washington, D.C., Glaudé enjoys hanging out with friends and family, watching television, and talking on the telephone. She also enjoys making people laugh, cooking, and going shopping. Victoria is very excited to mentor Jump Start students. She loves helping and encouraging others.
Victoria’s advice for incoming students ~ "Think carefully on the independent choices that you make."
Niccia Griffin-NcKinney
Niccia is interested in majoring in either Public Relations or Hospitality, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. As a second year student she is involved in various activities at Penn State Mont Alto including THON, Lion Ambassadors, and Orientation Leader. She is interested in helping first year students with their transition into college.
Babylue Sandi
A science major, Babylue is originally from Sierra Leone in West Africa, and she came to the United States in 2007. She attended John Bartram High School for two years and then transferred to Charter High School for Architecture and Design before graduating and coming to Penn State Mont Alto. She joined the Jump Start program during her summer advising session. In her spare time, she likes to play soccer, hang out with family and friends, and listen to music while she is sleeping. Babylue is excited to be a peer mentor so that she can help other Jump Start students succeed through their first year of college.