Peer Mentors
Our Mission:
We, the Peer Mentors, are a group of students who, on our own initiative, make a commitment to reach out to every First-Year student at Loyola University Chicago. We support and guide our students throughout their college transition and strive to make their experience as meaningful, engaging and successful as possible.
Peer mentors will:
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Email every first-year student with helpful information, resources, and advice throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.
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Be available for one-on-one 'coffee dates' with first year students to get to know them and help connect them to resources and activities on campus.
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Plan educational and social events for all first-year students throughout the year.
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Host the Annual Masquerade Ball for first-year students in February.
Meet Your Peer Mentors:
Ryan Bedell
Sophomore, Sports Management and Marketing major, Italian minor
I am obsessed with the St. Louis Cardinals. I play guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, piano, and mandolin. I really like fruit.
Lauren Bogacz
Sophomore, Advertising/Public Relations major, Psychology and International Studies minor
My name is Lauren Bogacz, and I'm a sophomore majoring in Communications (Ad/PR), with minors in Psychology and International Studies. I'm from Schaumburg, a suburb of Chicago, and I love living in the city! I have a younger sister and a black lab named Jovi. In my free time I like to run, read, and volunteer at the PAWS animal shelter and the Misericordia center for adults with disabilities. I have a passion for music (although I'm not musically inclined enough to play any instruments), and I love spending time with my family and friends.
Dan Grieco
Senior, Accounting major, International Business minor
I was born in Chicago and raised in central Illinois. I am a Chicago sports fand and I currently live behind Wrigley field! How appropriate, right? I studied abroad in Roma and I want to return someday soon. I love to spend time with my family and friends, play soccer, and help othres. Go Bears!
Dan Grieco
Anna Heling
Journalism major, Psychology minor
I'm a junior journalism major/psychology minor from Sheboygan, Wisconsin (I'll wait for you to stop laughing). If I could travel for a living, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Running is my "me time." I'm not afraid to admit I still watch Saved by the Bell. And I have insane addictions to peanut butter and lattes.
Melanie Heger
Senior, Advertising/Public Relations major
I am from St. Louis and a HUGE Cardinals fan. I could live off of La Croix, juicy pear jellybeans and bagels with cream cheese and not afraid to admit that I love pretty much any show on E! One of my favorite things to do is sing but sadly I sound like a dying cat…
William Hurd
Junior, Spanish and History major
My name is William Hurd, but most just call me Will. I'm currently a junior in the Honors program with a double major in Spanish and History. I love riding my bike, jamming to some tunes, and traveling. If you want to know anything else, just drop me a line.
Lauren Lapinski
Junior, International Studies and Communication Studies major
I'm a junior in the Honors program and recently started considering going to grad school for Speech and Language Pathology to become a speech therapist. My favorite foods are peanut butter, banana, honey sandwiches and mac & cheese, but not eaten at the same time... that'd be gross. I also love Thai food but only from a place off Fullerton called Noodels in the Pot. Seriously it's that good. I should probably mention more about me than food though. I love How I Met Your Mother, Community, dogs, free food (wait.. no more mentioning food), coffee, and fall and spring (if only those seasons existed in Chicago). Also in my spare time I run marathons.
Chloe Lundgren
Junior, Art History major, Marketing minor
I am a Junior Art History major and Marketing minor at Loyola. I am originally from Kansas City, but I am in love with Chicago with its wonderful hidden gem restaurants, free festivals, amazing concert scene, and Lake Michigan.
Sarah McDowell
Junior, Physics/Engineering major, French and Environmental Action & Leadership minor
My name is Sarah McDowell, and I am currently a junior studying for a physics/engineering major with French and Environmental Action and Leadership Minors here at Loyola! I love living in Chi town - concerts, diverse neighborhoods, thousands of restaurants, and more! I come from good ole Kansas City, MO where my love of fresh organic coffee is rooted with all of the local coffee shops and coffee companies. I enjoy hiking, biking, running, and most of all - dancing the night away!
Jackie Michl
Junior, Communication Studies major, Visual Communication minor
Hello there! My favorite color is yellow and I LOVE sunshine and sunflowers. I have a slight plant obsession and have eight lovely plants chilling in my humble abode at Baumhart. During the summer I take care of my very own vegetable garden. Delicious, nutritious, and fun! :) Other interests include BREWERS baseball, art, photography, waterskiing, and so much more!
Elena Nieves-Doyle
Senior, Philosophy and Social Justice major
Hi I'm Elena Nieves-Doyle, I'm a senior philosophy social justice major here at Loyola- I'm from Ames, Iowa and extremely proud of it! I'm a huge dog lover! I'm a new intern at PAWS Chicago. I'm a giant foodie- love to eat and find new and interesting restaurants, and I'm a giant fan of stupid humor (Tommy Boy anyone?).
Kelsey O'shaughnessy
Junior, Advertising/Public Relations major, Environmental Leadership and Action and International Film and Media Studies Minor
I like baking, biking, bowling, bass and make up. I waste my time on social media like the rest of modern society and love to listen to the radio. My dream job would be screenwriter/make up artist for a great movie - preferably a romantic comedy.
Abbie Ray
Senior, Human Services major
I openly admit my love for Justin Bieber. And for the life of me I cannot wink.
Brittany Royce
Senior, Psychology major, Sociology and Studio Art minor
Hi, my name is Brittany and I am a Senior and I am majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Studio Art. I’m a huge nerd I love Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter! In my free time I love to draw, dance around my apartment, cook, watch movies and play ultimate Frisbee.
Alexandra Sanchez
Sophomore, Elementary Education major
I am a sophomore Elementary Education major from Saint Louis! I love home in STL, but I absolutely love being in the city. I explore all the time and I am always open for new experiences. I am always happy and if you see me, I am most likely laughing.
Katerina Theodossiou
Junior, Secondary Education and English major
Hi, y’all! I’m Katerina Theodossiou, a Junior Secondary Ed/English double major in the Honors program. I’m originally from New Orleans, but without a doubt Chicago is my new home. I know far too much about all things Disney, drink way too much tea, and am on a constant quest to perfect my British accent.
Frances Tosca
Senior, Psychology major, Women’s & Gender Studies minor
Hey! My name is Frances Tosca and I am from the wonderful state of Minnesota. I’m a senior Psychology major and Women’s & Gender Studies minor. My favorite neighborhood in Chicago is Andersonville. Whenever there’s a weekend with good weather you can find me browsing the shops, checking out the Swedish Bakery, or having brunch in Anne Sather! My favorite color is yellow, I love boybands and I think Nutella is one of the best foods on earth.
Maricar Virina
Junior, Biochemistry and Mathematics major, Biology and Biostatistics minor
My name is Maricar Virina. I am a Junior here studying Biochemistry and Mathematics with minors in Biology and Biostatistics, and thus a pre-med student. I am from the suburbs of Chicago and love all that this city has to offer. I love coffee and How I Met Your Mother and watching every single NBA game I can possibly catch. I love talking too much, reading for fun, talking on the phone, and meeting new people.
Matt Witkowski