CHS PATHfinders Welcome Freshmen with Fall-Themed Event

By Ella Rosner
CHS Contributor

A fall-themed event hosted this week by the PATHfinders Peer Mentor program in the Multidisciplinary Building at the College of Health Sciences (CHS) brought together dozens of freshmen and their peer mentors to build connections and ease the transition into college life.

The PATHfinders program pairs each mentor with a group of 10 to 20 freshmen, offering guidance, support and social opportunities throughout the academic year. Peer mentors attend CHS introduction courses alongside their mentees and serve as an ongoing point of contact.

“These PATHfinders events build a sense of community,” said Ashley Downing, a junior Human Health Sciences (pre-Physical Therapy) major, and a peer mentor, from Union, Ky. “It allows students to meet other students in their classes, and also to meet mentors.”

The event, which embraced a fall theme, featured seasonal treats and activities designed to help students engage in a relaxed setting. Organizers said the gathering is part of a broader effort to foster meaningful connections within CHS.

“These events give students something to do and a way to connect with other people in CHS,” said Avery Peltcs, a sophomore peer mentor, and also a Human Health Sciences (pre-Physical Therapy) major from Columbus, Ohio. “It’s a good way to push freshmen outside of their comfort zone to meet other students and meet their mentors. It also allows us to get one-on-one time with mentees and get to know them better.”

For freshman Claire Hauzi, a Human Health Sciences pre-Occupational Therapy major from Westerville, Ohio, the opportunity to talk with mentors has made a significant difference.

“I like CHS because it feels like a tight-knit group, and I’ve bonded with a lot of the people here,” Hauzi said. “So far, we’ve been able to help each other with assignments and classes. Going to these events is important because it allows us to talk with our mentors. It’s really nice to have people to talk to who have been there before.”

Emerson Hess, a freshman student who is a Human Health Sciences major (on the pre-Physical Therapy track) from Lexington, said the event’s seasonal theme was a big draw.

“I decided to come today because I love fall, and this was a fall-related event,” Hess said.

The PATHfinders program is led by CHS Academic Affairs Coordinator Susan Herrick, MA, MTS and will continue hosting events throughout the school year.