Our Mentors help new first year students, or Mentees, adjust to the college experience at RSCC by connecting with them through similar interests, identifying benefits of RSCC campus resources and sharing general academic strategies. Mentors are responsible for developing a supportive learning relationship with Mentees by helping them adjust to their new roles and responsibilities in college. Mentors are current students, who started college not long ago, and are well on their way to earning a degree or credential certification. You could think of a Mentor as a slightly more experienced version of a Mentee, helping Mentees learn the ropes.
Mentors will show Mentees how to use campus resources, study curriculum effectively and navigate ways to register for classes by learning how to contact and schedule meetings with their Success Coach, who advises them professionally with career goals, financial aid and academic processes. Meet the current Mentors below!
You are a new student, also known as a Mentee. Peer Mentors are more experiend students that help a Mentee adapt to college.
Mentors can help you set up an appointment with your Success Coach, show you all the resources available at campus, and answer any lingering questions about college.
Set up an appointment with your Success Coach
Show you all the resources available at campus
Answer any lingering questions
Text a mentor at: +1(865)351-0782 or +1(865)351-0905
“Hi - my name is Christen, and I am a student athlete and peer mentor at Roane State. My future plan is to pursue aviation as a commercial airline pilot. I enjoy watching airplanes fly in and out from a little airport in my hometown. I am working towards a general transfer associate degree and to then transfer to a university focusing solely on aviation.
I am happy to be a part of the first cross country team and half marathon team at Roane State. My day-to-day life consists of finding adrenaline in activities like mountain biking, longboarding, and kayaking. I enjoy exploring new places and going on as many excursions as I can. I have a new-found interest in photography that encourages me to capture the raw moments in life.”
“Hi – my name is Maguek James and I’m from South Sudan in North Africa. I went to high school in North Carolina, and I now play basketball here at RSCC. I am excited to be a Peer Mentor because I’m fun to be around, I’m very outgoing, I help people feel at ease – I’m very friendly, so calm and cool! I like sports – especially Soccer and Basketball. I’ve played Soccer since I was little and when I started growing taller I had to stop and transition to Basketball. I’m the tallest person in every room!
I am able to relate with students since I am a student from around the world and based off my experiences. My job is to teach new students here at RSCC what I have learned about managing time and staying prepared for my classes and responsibilities. I hope to meet you soon around campus!”
“Hey - my name is Kansas Phillips. It’s my pleasure to be the first peer mentor for the Scott County campus! I’m excited to meet you!
I’ve attended Roane State for the last two years, and I have become incredibly involved on campus. I am an active member of the Campus Activity Board, where we plan activities to help promote student engagement. When I’m not attending classes, I’m working in the Scott County School System as a substitute teacher. I graduate in May 2023 with an associate degree in social work, but I plan to come back and get my associates in education as well. I’ve loved my time here, and I’d be happy to make your time here enjoyable too!"
“Hi - my name is Katie. I am in my second semester here at Roane State. I am currently studying on the Harriman campus. My major is Elementary Education, and I plan on transferring to Tennessee Tech with the 2+2 plan here at RSCC. I completely understand how overwhelming, and hard college can be. I have found what works best for me and my schedule. I am more than happy to share my personal experiences with my mentees!”
“Greetings! My name is Lydia, and I am a nontraditional student at Roane State. My life pretty much revolves around school. I am in the Medical Laboratory Technology program, a peer mentor, serve as the president of Roane State’s chapter of the PTK Honor Society, work with the Foundation as a Student Ambassador, and work part time at the front desk of the Oak Ridge campus, as well as at the food pantry on campus. When I’m not working or involved in school activities, I enjoy grilling or cooking and having my own little dance parties.
If you can’t tell, I’m pretty passionate about Roane State! The decision to go back to school was the best choice I’ve ever made. My success has come with a great deal of support from faculty, staff, other students, and my friends and family. I look forward to having the opportunity to pay it forward by offering the same encouragement and support to current students, helping them thrive as they go through college.”
“Hi, my name is Rebecca Parker. I am a 44-year-old, non-traditional student who is majoring in Nursing. I hope to be an Emergency Room Nurse or a Psychological Nurse. Eventually, I would like to obtain my Nurse Practitioners Licensure. While I am an older student - I can very much relate to many of the struggles new-to-college persons are experiencing, having myself returned after a very long break.
I am an outgoing person, who likes to talk a lot and enjoy many hobbies. I enjoy all things fiber related, in that I love to crochet, weave and knit. I someday would like to learn to sew and spin my own yarn. I greatly enjoy cooking, and I consider myself quite adept at it (once upon a time even considered going to culinary school). I love gardening, both ornamental and for food preparation. I enjoy canning food products as well for homesteading. A huge passion for me is jewelry and the making of true sterling silver jewelry - like what you would find in a famous stand-alone jewelry store where all the ladies would like their men to shop. I have my Accredited Jewelry Professional degree from the Gemological Institute of America and need to spend 3 months in California to finish out my Graduate Gemology degree, so that I may do Jewelry Appraisals. I can talk about jewelry and gemstones for hours!
I am here to help in any way possible, from educational resources to just having someone listen so you don't feel alone. You certainly are not alone! There is no topic off-limits for me.”
“Hi - my name is Sarah Costen, and I am from Lenoir City. I was active-duty Air Force. I have been deployed to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and now I am in the Tennessee Air National Guard as an administrative assistant. I enjoy hiking, camping, and anything with the outdoors! I also love reading and going on a shopping spree here and there. I am majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.
I love Roane State because of its people and community. Through my deployments and family trouble, my advisor and professors have not only understood my situation, but they have helped me along my journey. This year, I have the pleasure of being one of Roane State’s Foundation Student Ambassadors and Peer Mentors. I am so excited to help students and make them feel included!”
Complete the Application to be Peer Mentor
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
