August 16, 2025. My first Peer Leader (PL) training session in UCC Techflex. I remember walking in nervously, knowing only two of the 47 PLs. My palms were sweaty, and I had no idea where to sit. Then Thomas reached out his hand, smiling. That simple gesture made me feel seen and welcome.
That handshake is a great window into what being a Peer Leader encapsulates. As important as it is, this responsibility means far more than just first greetings to new students and their families. Being a PL is a plethora of emotions and responsibilities. It’s the ability to communicate with different families in need, the ability to make the best decisions on the fly when something unexpected happens, and the ability to trust and work closely with a whole new group of teammates over just one week of training.
People always ask me, “What type of person would make a good Peer Leader?” Sure, there are general qualities such as maturity and respect that are expected. The truth is, there isn’t a specific answer. That’s the key and secret to our team being such a valuable one. Each and every single of us carries a different experience and tells a unique story. Using myself as an example, I bring an international perspective as studying at Stevens is actually my first time in the U.S.! I’m so glad to have found my place here via the PL program. Last fall, we had almost 50 PLs, and I can think of different adjectives for each of us. In parallel, being a Stevens student can’t be summarized simply using a few keywords, because our campus has so many distinct personalities. Only with so many perspectives can PLs continue to serve our student body to the fullest.
In all honesty, as much as I love working with students and helping them find their place at Stevens, our week of training is at least as enjoyable, if not more. The Peer Leader team is a tight-knit one — these close bonds didn’t just come out of nowhere. Our love and trust for one another come from running through a rainstorm to Alessio’s Cafe during training, lawn time led by Ankita, PL flag football’s strong performance led by Kyra, and many more. In fact, just last night, when I was writing this, my friend asked me why I love being a PL so much. And, this is really one of those things that’s so hard to pinpoint into a few words. But becoming one was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Ducks are pack animals, always looking out for one another in the wilderness. For PLs, to be a Stevens Duck means to constantly be pushing the bounds of academic excellence while keeping an open heart for those around us. Most Ducks are not only driven by their intellectual curiosity, but more importantly, their desire to use their talents to serve and support others in their community when facing challenges.
