Destination Western Peer Advisors
We know the transition to college can be challenging. This program was designed to help you acclimate to a new academic and social environment. Your peer advisors will be with you throughout this experience to assist with anything you may need. We’re so excited to meet you! Welcome aboard!
Get to Know the 2024 Destination Western Peer Advisors!
June – Student Coordinator
She/Her | Senior
Language: English
Major: Biology
Minor: Physical Science
My career aspiration is to become a surgeon! My advice to incoming students is to that all new students are having the similar feels as you. You are not alone!
Malia – Student Coordinator
She/Her | Senior
Language: English
Majors: Psychology & Gerontology
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also part of the Multicultural Student Union, Black Student Union, Freedom Center, and the Hawai’i Club! My advice to incoming students is to be your authentic self and get involved!
Abby
She/Her | Junior
Salem, OR
Language: English
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Music
Some of my favorite places to grab a bite to each in Monmouth are Habebah, Kayotes, and Momijis! My advice to incoming students is to get involved! You’ll make tons of connections & learn new things!
Abigail
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & ASL
Majors: Public Health & ASL Interpreting
My career aspiration is to become an ASL/English interpreter and public health advocate! My advice to incoming students is to not judge yourself for being different than who you were before you came here. It’s a transition, take your time!
Amari
He/Him | Senior
Language: English
Majors: Communication & Business
My career aspiration is to become a digital marketing analyst! My advice to incoming students is to try everything campus has to offer, put yourself out there to make new friends, welcome new experiences, and enjoy the moment!
America
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: Early Childhood/Elementary Education
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was hanging out with the friends I got to meet through Destination Western! My advice to incoming students is to to get involved on campus and to meet new people!
Angeles
She/Her | Senior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Middle/High Language Arts Education
Minor: ESOL/TEFL
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also part of Unidos, the Multicultural Student Union, and I’m a Multicultural Representative Mentor! My advice to incoming students is to not be afraid to ask for help!
Anthony
He/Him | Senior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Math Education
Outside of school, I love spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends! My advice to incoming students is to get out of your comfort zone, and explore. People at WOU are nice and will always give you a hand for you to enjoy and have a good experience!
Areli
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Middle/High Math Education
Minors: ESOL & Computer Science
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also a Math Tutor and Multicultural Representative Mentor! My advice to incoming students is to get involved in campus activities and events!
Belinda
She/Her | Sophomore
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: ESOL
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, going to the gym, and dancing! My advice to incoming students is to not burn yourself out. Mental health is important make sure to surround yourself around people who are good for you and encourage you. Finding good friends makes the college process easier and helps create fun memories!
Brenda
She/Her | Senior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Public Policy & Administration
Minors: Business & Communication
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also part of the MEChA Latino Student Union, Model UN, and student government! My advice to incoming students is to not be afraid to try everything and stay true to yourself!
Brittany
She/Her | Senior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
My career aspiration is to become a pediatric traveling nurse! My advice to incoming students is to not be afraid to be the real you!
Daniel
He/They | Sophomore
Language: English
Major: Sociology
Outside of school, I love reading true crime novels and playing my ukulele! My advice to incoming students is to be yourself! That is the best thing you can be and know that the right people will find you!
Diana
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Education
Minor: ESOL
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also part of the Multicultural Student Union and am a Multicultural Representative Mentor! My advice to incoming students is to Get involved with campus activities
Edith
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Early Childhood/Elementary Education
Minor: ESOL
A fun fact about me is that I studied away in Puerto Rico fall term, and I got onstage during my favorite artists (Rauw Alejandro) concert. My advice to incoming students is to to not be afraid to ask for help and use your resources. It’s okay to not understand something or be unsure, that’s normal. Just don’t afraid to use your free resources!
Hailey
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: Early Childhood/Elementary Education
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was meeting new people, some of which I now consider my best friends! My advice to incoming students is to not be afraid to try new things. It’s not as scary as it may seem!
Jandi
Any/All Pronouns | Sophomore
Language: English
Major: History
Minor: Literature
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was being in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ with the Theatre department! My advice to incoming students is to be brave and try new things!
Jazzy
Sophomore
Language: English
Major: Psychology
Minor: ASL
My career aspiration is to become a psychologist! My advice to incoming students is that it’s okay to ask questions and go out and explore. It’ll help in the long run!
Jose Francisco
He/Him | Sophomore
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Criminal Justice
My favorite place to get a sweet treat is Main Street Ice Cream Parlor! They’ve got god tier milkshakes! My advice to incoming students is that fear is normal. Fear tells us our limits, but that’s the positive; it tells us our limits and limits are supposed to be broken, either one way or another. This helps us to improve ourselves and become our own strength!
Kainalu
He/Him | Senior
Language: English
Major: Education Studies
Outside of being a DWPA and WOU Crew Orientation Leader, I’m also a part of the Hawai’i Club and the Men’s Volleyball Club! My advice to incoming students is to to focus on time management and keep up on all the things going on in your life!
Kassidi
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: Early Childhood/Elementary Education
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was participating in Destination Western and learning about the different events on campus! My advice to incoming students is to make time for fun, even if that just means staying in and watching a movie!
Kat
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: Elementary Education
Some of my favorite places to grab a bite to each in Monmouth are Yeasty Beasty and La Uvita Feliz! My advice to incoming students is to ask your advisors what are the important classes and when they need to be achieved or taken by!
Len
She/Her | Sophomore
Language: English & Vietnamese
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
My career aspiration is to become a neuroscientist! My advice to incoming students is to that everyone has been in the same shoes as you. You got this!
Maddie
She/Her | Senior
Language: English
Major: Psychology
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was my first all nighter during Destination Western. We played card games and talked all night! My advice to incoming students is to be you and don’t let fear hold you back from having fun and living up to your truest potential.
Maddux
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: Political Science
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also part of the Multicultural Student Union, Black Student Union, Theatre, Choir, and the Associated Students of Western Oregon University! My advice to incoming students is to not feel like you have to do it all. You’ve got plenty of time to explore new things!
Makayla
Sophomore
Language: English
Major: Education
A fun fact about me is that I have a pet turtle! My advice to incoming students is that at the end of the day as long as you are happy with yourself and who you are no one else’s opinions matter. You got this!
Mary
She/Her | Graduate Student
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Psychology
Outside of being a DWPA, I’m also a part of UNIDOS, Campus Ambassadors, and the Associated Students of Western Oregon University! My advice to incoming students is to connect with others and meet new people!
Max
They/Them | Sophomore
Language: English
Major: Psychology
Minor: Forensic Anthropology
A fun fact about me is that I have been to 25 concerts! My advice to incoming students is to not put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. You’re adjusting to a completely new environment, with new people and experiences. It will take time, but you’ll get into a good groove and find things and people you love!
Maximus
He/Him | Junior
Language: English
Major: Aquarium Science
My career aspiration is to become an aquarium curator! My advice to incoming students is to ask questions and use your professors’ office hours. They’re there to help!
Morgan M.
She/Her | Junior
Language: English
Major: History
Minor: Psychology
Outside of school, I really enjoy knitting, working out, doodling, cooking, and playing cards! My advice to incoming students is to put yourself out there. It may seem scary, but you will find people that you like to be around.
Morgan P.
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & ASL
Majors: ASL & Psychology
Minor: Social Science
A fun fact about me is that I’m a wannabe polyglot! My advice to incoming students is that not everything is going to click instantly, things take time to fall into place. You’ll get the hang of it!
Nora
They/Them | Senior
Language: English
Major: Political Science
Minor: Communication Studies
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was meeting and spending time with my incredible roommates! My advice to incoming students is to Take advantage of every opportunity to make connections and meet new people.
Sarahi
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & Spanish
Major: Education
Minor: ESOL
My career aspriation is to become an ESOL/ELD teacher! My advice to incoming students is to get involved! Find events that seem interesting to you and simply show up until you find your place. It makes WOU feel like home help you create meaningful connections.
Shanti
Sophomore
Language: English
Major: Criminal Justice
Minor: Psychology
My favorite memory in my first year at WOU was playin in intramural volleyball and meeting new friends! My advice to incoming students is that there are no boundaries that you can’t overcome. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and meet new people!
Yadi
She/Her | Junior
Language: English & Spanish
Majors: Business Management & Spanish
My career aspiration is to become a business owner! My advice to incoming students is to socialize and make connections!
