SOAR Mentors

Peer Mentors Help New Students Soar

This year we are lucky to have several SOAR peer mentors offering advice, support, encouragement, and guidance to first-year SOAR students. Beginning a new journey in college as a returning adult learner while having many responsibilities outside of school can be challenging. Having a knowledgeable mentor who has been through the same adjustments helps new students transition well and thrive at UM-Dearborn.

Get to know our 2022-2023 SOAR student mentors!

Jason Davis is an Early Childhood Education major who plans on being an elementary school teacher.

Jason says, “SOAR was a chance to change the course of my life.” He wanted to be a SOAR mentor so he could help others on their journey. Jason is inspired by acts of charity and kindness. He believes that recognizing people are busy is important as a mentor because, “even if people need help, they may not know how to slow down and ask.” He enjoys visiting Michigan’s upper peninsula and celebrating birthdays.

Nicole Johnson is a Finance major with a concentration in Financial Management.

She is planning on getting a master’s in management or accounting. She wants to work in cost-controlling, risk management, and investments in addition to starting a nonprofit to educate and promote careers in finance for underserved students. Nicole mentions how SOAR is “a community of supporters and cheerleaders to push each other toward the finish line and in truly enjoying the college journey.” Nicole wanted to be a SOAR mentor because she believes in the power of mentoring and in sharing your own experiences and lessons learned to help others. Nicole is inspired by dreams and her mantra is “never stop dreaming”, even when some things may seem impossible.

Chanique Johnson is an Integrative Studies major with concentrations in African and African American Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.

Chanique plans to attend grad school and earn a master’s in social work. She plans to open a nonprofit to supporting youth and veterans offering transitional homes, connecting them with resources, teaching financial literacy and helping them find their passion in life. Chanique comments how she “wants to be for other young people the person who I wish I had growing up.” She believes in the power of having trustworthy people protect children and support families.

Kelly Turner is an Anthropology major with a minor in Sociology, planning on going to grad school.

She knows how crucial SOAR is in being a support network with fellow students who become great friends and mentors in their own way.  Kelly wanted to be a SOAR mentor because of the “tremendous difference the program has made” in her experience at UM-Dearborn and in life. She wants to give back and extend that same sense of community to others beginning their college journey. After graduating, Kelly plans to develop outreach programs in communities striving to strengthen and improve the lives of their people. Kelly believes that if she can enrich someone’s life in a little way, bigger change can happen.

Jessica Woolley is a Health and Human Services major with a Human Services concentration.

She is contemplating grad school for a master’s in deaf education or working in a career supporting aging adults. Jessica wanted to be a SOAR mentor because she “knew how helpful it was as a SOAR student to have that kind of support from other students” and she enjoys connecting with other nontrads. She shared “SOAR means having people on my side rooting for me and creating a space where I belong and am celebrated.” Jessica is inspired by her children and wants to show them you can succeed while still having fun.