Finding My Place by Helping Others Find Theirs

But it was the people who walked alongside me during my first year—the ones who answered my questions, made my collegium fun and reminded me that I could succeed—that made leadership feel possible. They showed me that I belonged here. Now, as a junior serving as both a peer mentor (PM) and a campus ministry student assistant, I get to do that same thing for others, and it has completely shaped my college experience.

My name is Alana Mendes. 

I am a junior majoring in liberal studies with a minor in early education and child development. I am a peer mentor (PM) and a campus ministry student assistant for the Office of Spiritual Formation (OSF). As a PM, I work closely with freshman students to help them with their transition from high school to college. Part of my job includes familiarizing freshmen with campus, student life, classes, routines and various events and opportunities that are happening throughout the year. With the help of a PM partner and mentor professor, I am a part of a support system that freshmen students can go to when needed and help them feel a part of the FPU community. In my role as a student assistant, I help plan and prepare our College Hour programming. This includes communicating with guest speakers, keeping track of attendance and informing students about upcoming College Hour gatherings and affinity group meetings. My main goal in OSF is to create Christ-centered experiences where all students feel seen and heard on campus.

There were a few reasons why I wanted to become a student leader. 

I was interested in being a PM because I had a similar role in my high school’s Link Crew Program. Also, my freshman year, I had two great PMs who made our collegium class times fun and engaging. They showed us that doing well in college was attainable, and they were a great help along the way. I wanted to do the same for other freshmen, so I applied to be a PM. I didn't originally get the job, but I didn’t give up. I still wanted to be involved and felt that being a student leader was the best way to do so. That summer, the student assistant position in OSF opened, I applied and was hired. Little did I know what God had in store for me. I got a call at the end of the summer that there was a last-minute opening to be a PM. I accepted and was hired only two days before the PMs began working. Both of these roles have become so important to me, and I am grateful to God for putting me in positions that make a difference for others and show the goodness of His love for us.

Being a student leader has allowed me to meet many different people on campus and create meaningful friendships.

The friendships I have made with other student leaders are something I will cherish far beyond my college days, and I am thankful. The student leadership community is supportive and uplifting, helping each other pursue our dreams while creating an environment for others to feel included. Personally, student leadership has helped me become a more extroverted version of myself, step out of my comfort zone and participate in things I couldn't imagine myself doing before. I never would have thought that I would compete in Mock Rock, not once but two times! It was such a fun experience to perform with my fellow PMs and do something completely out of the ordinary for me. I also had the opportunity to attend the 2025 Jubilee conference in Pittsburgh, PA. It was so cool to be in a room of 2,000-plus college students worshipping the Lord together. Last year I attended the SCORR Conference at Vanguard University. There, I was able to participate in various workshops that focused on being a better student leader and how to serve the students on our campuses.

My journey into student leadership at FPU wasn’t perfectly planned, but it was perfectly timed.

Being a student leader has truly made my college experience worthwhile and enjoyable. Looking back, I can see how each step led me to where I am today, and I will always be thankful for these experiences.